puppet

The word “puppet” means a doll-like figure of a person or animal moved by strings, rods, or a hand inside it. In plain terms, a figure controlled by someone else, whether literally (a toy) or figuratively (a person or government being manipulated).

“Puppet” is pronounced PUH-piht (/ˈpʌpɪt/ in IPA).

Here is “puppet” used in a sentence: “The children laughed as the puppet danced on its strings.”

Depending on how it is used, “puppet” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “puppet” comes from Latin. From Middle French poupette, a diminutive of poupée ("doll"), ultimately from Latin pupa ("doll, girl"). Related to puppy, which comes from the same root.

“Puppet” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Puppet” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a doll-like figure of a person or animal moved by strings, rods, or a hand inside it.

A puppet is the general term for any doll-like figure moved by strings, rods, or a hand inside it. A marionette is specifically a puppet controlled from above by strings or wires attached to its limbs and body.

A puppet government is one that appears to govern independently but is actually controlled by another government or organization behind the scenes. The term implies the ruling body has little real power of its own.

As a verb, "puppet" means to control or manipulate someone or something as though it were a literal puppet. It is used to describe one party secretly directing another's actions.

Both describe someone controlled by another party, but "puppet" emphasizes that the person only appears to act independently while being directed from behind the scenes. "Pawn" more broadly describes someone used to serve another's purpose, without necessarily implying disguised control.