marionette

/ˌmɛriəˈnɛt/
noun
  1. A puppet that is controlled from above by strings or wires attached to its limbs.
    • The children were amazed as the marionette danced across the stage.
    • The puppeteer skillfully moved the marionette's arms and legs with the strings.
    • She learned how to make a marionette in her art class.
  2. A person or group that is controlled by someone else and has no real power or independence.
    • He refused to be a marionette and made his own decisions.
    • Many felt the committee was a marionette of the corporation.
    • The new leader was just a marionette for the military generals.
Synonyms