lay figure

as in tool
one that is or can be used to further the purposes of another the novel's characters are not fully fleshed humans, but are simply lay figures strutted out to serve as mouthpieces for conflicting points of view

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lay figure
Noun
  • Rather than selling ads or data, the platform will generate revenue by offering tools that facilitate connection.
    Luciana Paulise, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Fifty young people from Atlanta were trained in AI tools and use cases.
    John Hope Bryant, Time, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • The suspect is also wanted in Massachusetts for allegedly stealing guns from a pawn shop in February 2025, Tisch said.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 20 July 2025
  • United Communities is pro-development but wanted deed restrictions to prevent the opening of liquor stores, pawn shops, and tattoo shops.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Lay figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lay%20figure. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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