figurehead
Leader without authority
A figurehead is a leader in name only—someone who holds a title or position of authority but lacks real power.
The term comes from the carved wooden figures mounted on the bows of sailing ships: decorative and prominent, but serving no functional purpose.
The queen is largely a figurehead; Parliament holds the actual power.
Forward-projecting ship pole
- prowVessel's forward section
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- shipSeagoing transport vessel
- bowRespectful forward inclination
vessel · galleon · mermaid · serpent · dragon · lion · eagle · wooden
Controlled performing figure
- tokenRepresentative placeholder
- nominalIn designation only
- ceremonialRelating to formal rites
- titularIn title only
symbolic · ineffectual · powerless · superficial · ornamental · rubberstamp · placeholder · hollow
Elected leader of nation
- monarchHereditary supreme ruler
- kingMale crowned ruler
- queenMost powerful chess piece
- chairmanHead of a board
chief · director · governor · ruler · sovereign · dignitary · chancellor · emperor
Ceremony installing a sovereign
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- processionFormal moving line
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
pomp · regalia · formality · protocol · tradition · state · official · diplomatic
bowsprit
Forward-projecting ship pole
bow · vessel · galleon · mermaid · serpent · dragon · lion · eagle · wooden · gilded
puppet
Controlled performing figure
- tokenRepresentative placeholder
- nominalIn designation only
- ceremonialRelating to formal rites
titular · symbolic · ineffectual · powerless · superficial · ornamental · rubberstamp · placeholder · hollow · facade
president
Elected leader of nation
chairman · chief · director · governor · ruler · sovereign · dignitary · chancellor · emperor · patriarch
coronation
Ceremony installing a sovereign
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- processionFormal moving line
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
ritual · pomp · regalia · formality · protocol · tradition · state · official · diplomatic · regal
- monarchyking, queen, prince, princess, crown
- nauticalanchor, anchor chain, anchors, boat, boats
- VikingsViking, longships, longship, raiding, Norse settlers
- nautical artseascape, sailing ships, sailing ship, clipper ship, naval battle
- naval museumship, submarine, anchor, cannon, torpedo
- notable figurespolitical leaders, historical figures, dignitary, luminary, presidents
figureheaddecision-maker
One with choosing power
power broker · strongman · autocrat · dictator · person in charge
figureheadpower behind the throne
Hidden controller of affairs
puppet master · kingmaker · string-puller · silent partner · Svengali
figureheaddriving force
Power behind movement
prime mover · active participant · key player · principal · real deal