Puppet: meaning, definitions and examples

Duplicate entry

A type of puppet that is operated with strings from above. Often seen in theatrical performances.

• The marionette dance was intricate and beautiful.
• He expertly controlled the marionette on stage.

Used to describe a child's toy that looks like a baby or an adult. Often used for play or decoration.

• She received a beautiful doll for her birthday.
• The antique doll was worth a lot of money.

Used to describe a model or replica of a person, often used for practice or demonstration. Can have a negative connotation when referring to a person, implying lack of intelligence.

• The car crash test was conducted using a dummy.

Often used to describe someone who is being manipulated or controlled by another person, usually implying a lack of autonomy or independence. It can also refer to a figurine controlled by strings in a show.

• He's just a puppet in the hands of the powerful CEO.
• The puppet show was entertaining for the children.

Commonly used in a strategic or manipulative context, where someone is used by others to achieve a goal, often at their own expense. This usually has a negative connotation.

• He felt like a pawn in their political game.
• In chess, pawns are often sacrificed to achieve a better position.

Used when referring to a means or agent by which something is achieved or accomplished. This can be literal, such as a musical instrument, or figurative, such as a means to an end.

• The telescope is an essential instrument for astronomers.
• Education can be an instrument of change in society.

Refers to an object used to perform a task or a person who is being used by someone else for their purposes, usually with a negative connotation. It can also mean a software application or resource.

• A hammer is a useful tool for building.
• She was a mere tool in their scheme.
• This software tool helps to manage projects effectively.