1. a person who operates puppets in a performance

1. to control or manipulate someone or something like a puppet
Usage: often implies deceptive control

Examples

• The skilled puppeteer brought the marionette to life on stage.
• Children watched in amazement as the puppeteer made the characters dance.
• She trained for years to become a professional puppeteer.
• The politician accused his opponent of being puppeteered by special interests.
• He felt like someone was puppeteering his every decision.
• The puppeteer’s hands moved gracefully behind the puppet theater.