orchestrate

verb

or·​ches·​trate ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt How to pronounce orchestrate (audio)
orchestrated; orchestrating
Synonyms of orchestratenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to compose or arrange (music) for an orchestra
The composer orchestrated the music for the symphony orchestra.
b
: to provide with orchestration
orchestrate a ballet
2
: to arrange or combine so as to achieve a desired or maximum effect
orchestrated preparations for the banquet
a carefully orchestrated stunt
orchestrator noun
or less commonly orchestrater

Examples of orchestrate in a Sentence

He recently orchestrated a musical. She orchestrated the entire event. It's still unclear who was responsible for orchestrating the attack. A strike was orchestrated by union members.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The amnesty comes a week after Min Aung Hlaing was sworn into office following an election that critics say was neither free nor fair and was orchestrated to keep the military's iron grip on power. ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026 The annual convention of movie theater owners got a sneak peek at Jordan’s project — the third big-screen take on the story of a billionaire whose idle hands lead him to orchestrate major art thefts. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026 An Illinois judge has sentenced a Texas man to more than two decades in federal prison for orchestrating a $20 million cryptocurrency scam. Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026 Julia's daughter, Moretta Johnson, was arrested for kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping related to a November 2022 incident, when Bateman orchestrated a kidnapping plot from prison in which eight minors vanished from state custody. Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for orchestrate

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of orchestrate was in 1858

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Cite this Entry

“Orchestrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchestrate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

orchestrate

verb
or·​ches·​trate ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt How to pronounce orchestrate (audio)
orchestrated; orchestrating
1
: to write or arrange music for an orchestra
2
: to arrange or combine so as to get the best effect
orchestration
ˌȯr-kə-ˈstrā-shən
noun

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