puppeteer
US /ˌpʌp.əˈtɪr/
UK /ˌpʌp.əˈtɪr/
1.
a person who manipulates puppets
:
•
The puppeteer skillfully made the marionette dance.
•
She dreams of becoming a professional puppeteer.
2.
a person who controls the actions of others, often secretly or indirectly
:
•
He was the true puppeteer behind the political scandal.
•
The CEO was seen as the puppeteer, pulling all the strings in the company.