puppetlike
Like a marionette
Puppetlike describes something resembling a puppet in appearance or movement—jerky, stiff, or seemingly controlled by external forces.
The word often suggests a lack of autonomy or natural motion: His puppetlike gestures made the performance feel wooden.
Applied to people, it implies they're being manipulated or acting without independent will.
Self-moving mechanical device
- roboticStiff and unemotional
- woodenMade from timber
- jointedHaving flexible connections
- hingedConnected by pivot joint
jerky · stiff · articulated · stringed · clockwork · animated · manipulated · controlled
Controlled through cunning
- stringedEquipped with taut cords
- handledManaged or controlled
- directedGave guidance or orders
- obedientFollowing commands willingly
compliant · submissive · docile · pliant · biddable · tractable · subservient · yielding
Without marks or content
- vacantWithout an occupant
- woodenMade from timber
- glassy-eyedUnfocused, expressionless gaze
- fixedRestored or immovable
painted · mask-like · staring · unblinking · deadpan · impassive · frozen · lifeless
Copying another's behavior
- parrotingMechanical verbal imitation
- echoingReflecting sound repeatedly
- rehearsedPrepared by repetition
- scriptedWritten out beforehand
programmed · rote · mechanical · unoriginal · ventriloquist's · mouthpiece · coached · prompted
automaton
Self-moving mechanical device
hinged · jerky · stiff · articulated · stringed · clockwork · animated · manipulated · controlled · operated
manipulated
Controlled through cunning
obedient · compliant · submissive · docile · pliant · biddable · tractable · subservient · yielding · malleable
blank
Without marks or content
- vacantWithout an occupant
- woodenMade from timber
- glassy-eyedUnfocused, expressionless gaze
fixed · painted · mask-like · staring · unblinking · deadpan · impassive · frozen · lifeless · doll-like
mimicking
Copying another's behavior
- parrotingMechanical verbal imitation
- echoingReflecting sound repeatedly
- rehearsedPrepared by repetition
scripted · programmed · rote · mechanical · unoriginal · ventriloquist's · mouthpiece · coached · prompted · cued
puppetlikeautonomous
Self-directed and free
independent · self-directed · self-governing · sovereign · self-determined
puppetlikegenuine
Truly what it claims
authentic · spontaneous · natural · unscripted · sincere
puppet, puppets, puppetry, marionette, puppeteer, puppetmaster