View synonyms for figurehead

figurehead

[ fig-yer-hed ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a person who is head heads of a group, company, etc., in title but actually has no real authority or responsibility:
Most modern kings and queens are figureheads.
Nautical. a carved full-length figure or bust built into the bow of a sailing ship.

figurehead

/ ˈfɪɡəˌhɛd /

a person nominally having a prominent position, but no real authority
a carved bust or full-length figure at the upper end of the stems of some sailing vessels

First recorded in 1755–65; figure + head

How will we know if Kim, when he eventually surfaces, is ruler or figurehead?

Waters herself is a gay figurehead, but again she shrinks from any compliments.

Less than 12 hours later, they lost their inspirational figurehead.

He may be a figurehead, but the president who is elected today is worth keeping an eye on for signs of where Pakistan is going.

Indeed, Medvedev was never really more than a figurehead president, despite the theoretically huge powers attached to the job.

The statues here, and the lions before the Prince of Orange's palace, would disgrace almost the figurehead of a ship.

Without power or privileges, she was a mere figurehead—a good mother looking after her family.

The Speaking Oak then bade him cut off one of its great limbs, and carve from it a figurehead for his ship.

Would people really prefer a figurehead and a symbol of undisputed authority?

Walking steadily, but with a face set as the figurehead on one of his own ships, the captain went to answer the knock.

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