puppets

noun

plural of puppet
1
as in dolls
a small figure often of a human being used especially as a child's plaything gave her a puppet with strings for a gift

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in pawns
one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another accused the newspaper editor of being a puppet for the moneyed people of the town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of puppets Tippett’s team animated physical puppets, while ILM handled compositing and digital fire, smoke and explosions. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 The evening, co-hosted by Vanity Fair, marked a continuation in the film’s already lengthy journey, with a suitably ambitious exhibition pulling back the curtain on costumes, puppets, props and diminutive sets. — Bridget Arsenault, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026 Unlike many other leftists, who saw the Nazis as mere puppets of capitalism, Seghers understood the raw, sensual appeal of the Fascist message. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 But what’s truly astonishing is the sheer scope of the effort involved in the gargantuan stop-motion production that involved some 200 practical puppets and 130 practical sets to bring the elaborate story to life. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026 Screenwriter Zoe Cooper supplies a total of four would-be victims for Zhan to dispatch, and the puppets quickly pick off the first three in some amusing and inventive ways. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026 Crowds will line the route to see floats, costumed actors, spectacular puppets and creative performances. — Doug George, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The marionettes – or puppets – come in all shapes and sizes, many crafted from wood; some depict humans, others fantastical creatures, all intricately and lovingly made. — Kelly Kasulis Cho, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026 There are seagull puppets, a tandem bicycle, an oil stain in the shape of a rabbit, a meteorite. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for puppets
  1. dolls
  2. pawns
  3. dollies
  4. tools
Noun
  • The film has since been turned into a theme park, dolls, T-shirts, video games, and more.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But a lot of their marquee products are based on comic books, books, toys, and dolls.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of dolls
Noun
  • Ownership is not in bankruptcy, is contesting the foreclosure in court, has offered the lender any and every constructive solution, but will not allow these tenants to be further used as pawns.
    — Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Melton was a Mountain West All-Academic pick who today is an avid chess player, moving pawns on his phone or going toe-to-toe with Justin Verlander in the middle of the clubhouse.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of pawns
Noun
  • The 750-ton building was placed onto 20 dollies and moved onto city property where it was ultimately restored and opened as a museum and events venue.
    — Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Each band’s gear had been set up on dollies and risers, secured under forty-foot-long tents.
    — Alex Abramovich, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Definition of dollies
Noun
  • These tools can support both dynamic and personalized pricing.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Those tools include apps that allow individuals to receive cash in between paychecks and are costing them hundreds of dollars each year in fees, according to a recent report.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of tools

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Cite this Entry

“Puppets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/puppets. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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