puppeteer

/ˌpʌpəˈtɪr/
verb
  1. To control or manipulate someone or something, as if they were a puppet.
    • She felt like her boss was puppeteering her every move at work.
    • The hacker puppeteered the computer system to steal data.
    • The dictator puppeteered the media to spread his propaganda.
noun
  1. A person who controls puppets, especially in a show.
    • The children watched in awe as the puppeteer brought the little fox to life.
    • She trained for years to become a skilled puppeteer.
    • The puppeteer made the wooden dragon dance across the stage.
  2. A person who secretly controls or manipulates someone or something.
    • No one realized that the quiet advisor was the true puppeteer behind the company's decisions.
    • In the movie, the villain acts as a puppeteer, pulling the strings of the government.
    • The corrupt official was just a puppeteer for the real criminals.
What does "puppeteer" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean