puppet
/ˈpʌpɪt
/noun
1A movable model of a person or animal that is typically moved either by strings controlled from above or by a hand inside it: [as modifier]: a puppet show...
- His innovative use of string puppets and model special effects made the series a huge hit.
- The critics at Bombay Dreams all mentioned the fountain scene, for The Lion King it was the amazing effects and animal puppets.
- From shadow puppets to puppets on a string, the emphasis this year is on visual theatre.
Synonyms
marionette, glove puppet, hand puppet, finger puppet, rod puppet, shadow puppet
1.1A person, group, or country under the control of another: a former revolutionary hero who is now a puppet of the state...
- It is about leading one's own life. It is about not being the puppet or the slave of the choices and desires of others.
- Nicholas is just a pawn, a puppet for Wilson and that is just a temporary situation until Wilson is ready to strike.
- She was remembering how he had played her like a rag puppet being controlled by strings.
Synonyms
pawn, tool, instrument, cat's paw, poodle, creature, hostage, counter, cog, dupe;
mouthpiece, minion, figurehead
informal flunkey, lackey, stooge
Origin
Mid 16th century (denoting a doll): later form of poppet, generally having a more unfavourable connotation.
see pup, doll