Dummies

4 clues
Declarers' partners
Ventriloquists' dolls
They work for ventriloquists
For ___" (popular how-to book series)
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Academies
Actdumb
Acteddumb
Actingdumb
Adabsurdum
Addendum
Adumb
Adumbrate
Adumbration
Adump
Agendum
Albusdumbledore
Alexandredumas
Alliedarmiesland
Amies
Ammodump
Anatomies
Anomies
Archemies
Archenemies