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Definition of puppetry

puppetry

/ˈpʌp.ɪ.tri/
pup · pet · ry
Plural:puppetries
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puppetry Lexical Profile

puppetry Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The theatrical art, craft, and practice of designing, constructing, and manipulating puppets—such as marionettes, hand puppets, rod puppets, or shadow figures—to animate characters in dramatic performances.

Example

"The festival celebrated traditional Indonesian shadow puppetry alongside modern theatrical productions."

2

Covert manipulation or control of people, institutions, or events by an external power, or behavior that is artificially staged and lacking independent agency.

Example

"Critics dismissed the newly appointed committee as mere political puppetry orchestrated by party leaders."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

puppeteering
puppetlike
puppetmaster
puppetry
puppy
puppydog
puppyhood

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the mid-16th century, formed from the noun 'puppet' (ultimately from Vulgar Latin 'puppikta', diminutive of Latin 'puppa', meaning 'girl' or 'doll') and the suffix '-ry'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Puppetry. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/puppetry
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