often attributive
1
a
: a small-scale figure (as of a person or animal) usually with a cloth body and hollow head that fits over and is moved by the hand
b
2
3
: one whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence
a puppet ruler
Examples of puppet in a Sentence
a dictator who was perceived as being an American puppet
gave her a puppet with strings for a gift
Recent Examples on the Web
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who is essentially Netanyahu’s puppet, has established a new administrative body in his ministry to promote emigration.
—
Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2025
In both films, the director insisted on using real animal fibers for the puppets.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025
Being merely a puppet of whatever the AI tells you is not likely to work out and you’ll probably be castigated as the dumbest person in the room rather than the smartest.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Three of the puppets were about a foot tall, with the other two measuring about 18 centimeters.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puppet
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Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 7 Apr. 2025
In both films, the director insisted on using real animal fibers for the puppets.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025
Being merely a puppet of whatever the AI tells you is not likely to work out and you’ll probably be castigated as the dumbest person in the room rather than the smartest.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Three of the puppets were about a foot tall, with the other two measuring about 18 centimeters.
—ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puppet
Cite this Entry
“Puppet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppet. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
puppet
noun
pup·pet
ˈpəp-ət 
1
: a doll moved by hand or by strings or wires
2
3
: a person or a government whose acts are controlled by an outside force or influence
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