puppet masters
Behind-the-scenes controllers
Puppet masters are those who control others from behind the scenes, manipulating people or events while remaining hidden from view.
The term derives from puppeteers who operate marionettes by strings, extended to anyone who orchestrates actions through proxies: The real puppet masters behind the campaign remained anonymous.
Often used in conspiracy theories or political criticism to suggest hidden power structures pulling the strings of visible figures.
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
- manipulatorOne who controls cunningly
- pulling stringsExercising covert influence
- wayang kulitIndonesian leather puppet theatre
- controllerDevice directing a system
dalang · string puller · directors · influencer · marionette · power-play · Svengali · proxy · schemer · power broker · Bunraku · conspirator · smoke and mirrors · strategist · operators · ventriloquist · power behind the throne · Jim Henson
- puppetrymarionette, marionettes, marionette strings, Bunraku, bunraku
- cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
- Edo Japanshogun, samurai, shogunate, daimyo, Tokugawa
- Conspiraciesconspiracy, deep state, new world order, chemtrails, flat earth
- power behind the throneadvisors, regents, viziers, cardinals, prime ministers
- power playerspower brokers, insiders, dealmakers, influencers, kingmakers
puppet masterspuppets
Figures manipulated for performance
pawns · marionettes · minions · lackeys · stooges
puppet masterspublic figures
Prominent societal personalities
figureheads · front men · spokespersons · mouthpieces · celebrities
puppet, master, puppets, puppetry, puppeteer, puppeteers, puppeteering, masters, mastery