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
As Edward and Molly make their way from one location to another, Gomes cuts in contemporary footage of karaoke performances, puppet shows, panda bears, martial arts exhibitions and, in one case, two women using their arms and hands to mime chickens making love.
—
Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024
The film also has a recurring motif in the puppet shows that seemingly every culture has developed, and developed differently, as a storytelling medium.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for puppet 
Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024
The film also has a recurring motif in the puppet shows that seemingly every culture has developed, and developed differently, as a storytelling medium.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for puppet
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'puppet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Puppet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppet. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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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