Unconditional description of an unworkable marionette (2,7)

I believe the answer is:

no strings

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'unconditional' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for no strings that I've seen before include "Without limitations" , "without any conditions" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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