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
Because the puppet is turning back into a real boy.
—
Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2025
The Madrid Carnival Parade features a mix of street theater, circus acts, giant puppets and fantastic creatures.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
In addition, we are no longer viewed as a world leader but Russian President Vladimir Putin’s puppet and Mexico, Canada and China have fought back over an uncalled-for tariff war.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
And the stagecraft, from the original director/designer Julie Taymor’s emblematic puppets and masks to the choreography’s blend of classical and contemporary styles, remains effortlessly engaging.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puppet
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Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2025
The Madrid Carnival Parade features a mix of street theater, circus acts, giant puppets and fantastic creatures.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
In addition, we are no longer viewed as a world leader but Russian President Vladimir Putin’s puppet and Mexico, Canada and China have fought back over an uncalled-for tariff war.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
And the stagecraft, from the original director/designer Julie Taymor’s emblematic puppets and masks to the choreography’s blend of classical and contemporary styles, remains effortlessly engaging.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puppet
Articles Related to puppet
Cite this Entry
“Puppet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppet. Accessed 21 Mar. 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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