figureheads
Leaders without power
Figureheads are leaders in name only—people who hold titles or positions of authority but lack real power.
The term comes from the carved figures mounted on the prows of sailing ships: decorative and prominent, but doing nothing to steer.
The queen is largely a figurehead; Parliament holds the actual power.
A figurehead may be installed deliberately to provide legitimacy while others make decisions behind the scenes.
Controlled performing figure
- tokenRepresentative placeholder
- nominalIn designation only
- titularIn title only
- ceremonialRelating to formal rites
ornamental · front · façade · rubber stamp · mouthpiece · proxy · placeholder · straw man
Vessel's forward section
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- shipSeagoing transport vessel
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
galleon · clipper · vessel · maritime · seafaring · wooden · mast · stern
Ceremony installing a sovereign
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- processionFormal moving line
- regaliaCeremonial emblems of authority
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
pomp · ritual · enthronement · investiture · tribute · commemoration · gala · banquet
puppet
Controlled performing figure
ceremonial · ornamental · front · façade · rubber stamp · mouthpiece · proxy · placeholder · straw man · spokesperson
prow
Vessel's forward section
sculpture · galleon · clipper · vessel · maritime · seafaring · wooden · mast · stern · bowsprit
coronation
Ceremony installing a sovereign
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- processionFormal moving line
- regaliaCeremonial emblems of authority
pageantry · pomp · ritual · enthronement · investiture · tribute · commemoration · gala · banquet · solemnity
president
Elected leader of nation
emperor · chairman · CEO · governor · chief · director · sovereign · ruler · head of state · chancellor
- maritimeships, ship, boat, boats, anchors
- seafaringship, sailors, ships, sail, sailor
- nautical artseascape, sailing ships, sailing ship, clipper ship, naval battle
- sea lorekraken, mermaids, mermaid, sea serpent, sirens
- ancient seafaringships, galley, bireme, navigation, mariners
- woodcarvingchisel, gouge, carving knives, relief carvings, duck decoys
figureheadsdecision-makers
Those with choosing power
rulers · executives · kingmakers · autocrats · puppet masters
figureheadsprincipals
Chief school administrators
key players · driving forces · prime movers · agents · doers