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
When these corrupt puppet governments weakened and fractured, the drug cartels moved in.
—
Brad Wolf, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The library will open to the public with a daylong celebration, including puppet shows, face painting, live music and other entertainment and activities.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2025
Trump now sees a weakened Putin as China's puppet and sees China as the better ally.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Defense Minister Israel Katz, seen as a puppet of Netanyahu, stoked tensions further by announcing the release of several far-right settlers from administrative detention.
—Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for puppet 
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Brad Wolf, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The library will open to the public with a daylong celebration, including puppet shows, face painting, live music and other entertainment and activities.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2025
Trump now sees a weakened Putin as China's puppet and sees China as the better ally.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Defense Minister Israel Katz, seen as a puppet of Netanyahu, stoked tensions further by announcing the release of several far-right settlers from administrative detention.
—Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for puppet
Articles Related to puppet
Dictionary Entries Near puppet
Cite this Entry
“Puppet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppet. Accessed 16 Feb. 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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