puppet master
Behind-the-scenes controller
A puppet master is someone who controls puppets in a performance, manipulating strings or hands to bring figures to life.
The term extends figuratively to anyone who controls others from behind the scenes: The CEO was merely a figurehead—the real puppet master was the chairman.
The implication is usually sinister, suggesting hidden manipulation of people or events.
Authority to direct
- stringsThin flexible lines
- influencePower to affect others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
orchestrator · schemer · plotter · conniver · intriguer · powerbroker · brainwasher · exploiter
Wicked story antagonist
- supervillainPowerful fictional evil antagonist
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- antagonistOne who opposes another
Moriarty · Palpatine · Geppetto · Jim Henson · Frank Oz · archnemesis · evil genius · crime lord
Ruler with total control
- regimeSystem of governance
- shadow governmentConcealed parallel authority structure
- kingmakerPolitical influence wielder
- oligarchMember of small ruling class
handler · despot · autocrat · tyrant · sovereign · proxy · figurehead · deep state
Multi-puppeteer Japanese theater
- ventriloquistOne who speaks for puppets
- performanceCarrying out a task
- stageRaised performance platform
- spectacleVisually striking event
wooden · jointed · articulated · strings · curtain · booth · show · manikin
Skilled planner of action
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
calculated · long game · orchestration · scheming · positioning · foresight · grandmaster · moves
control
Authority to direct
- stringsThin flexible lines
- influencePower to affect others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
mastermind · orchestrator · schemer · plotter · conniver · intriguer · powerbroker · brainwasher · exploiter · coercion
villain
Wicked story antagonist
- supervillainPowerful fictional evil antagonist
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
antagonist · Moriarty · Palpatine · Geppetto · Jim Henson · Frank Oz · archnemesis · evil genius · crime lord · syndicate
dictator
Ruler with total control
- regimeSystem of governance
- shadow governmentConcealed parallel authority structure
- kingmakerPolitical influence wielder
oligarch · handler · despot · autocrat · tyrant · sovereign · proxy · figurehead · deep state · cabal
bunraku
Multi-puppeteer Japanese theater
- ventriloquistOne who speaks for puppets
- performanceCarrying out a task
- stageRaised performance platform
spectacle · wooden · jointed · articulated · strings · curtain · booth · show · manikin · dummy
tactician
Skilled planner of action
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
maneuver · calculated · long game · orchestration · scheming · positioning · foresight · grandmaster · moves · endgame
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- power metaphorsiron fist, iron grip, reins, pulling strings, stranglehold
- mastermindsmastermind, criminal mastermind, evil genius, genius, strategist
- court intrigueintrigue, plots, schemes, plotting, conspiracy
- political intrigueintrigue, conspiracy, treason, plot, collusion
- power brokerspowerbroker, kingpin, kingmakers, kingmaker, string puller
puppet masterpuppet
Controlled performing figure
marionette · pawn · minion · stooge · lackey
puppet masterpuppet
Controlled performing figure
front man · figurehead · spokesperson · poster child · mouthpiece
master, puppet, mastery, masterful, mastering, puppets, puppetry, marionette, puppeteer