stage-manage
verb
stage-man·age
ˈstāj-ˌma-nij 
stage-managed; stage-managing; stage-manages
1
a
: to arrange or exhibit so as to achieve a desired effect
b
: to arrange or direct from behind the scenes
2
: to act as stage manager for
stage management
noun
Examples of stage-manage in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So says Eleanor, who embodies the movie’s reality principle, not only handling the logistics of the ailing architect’s hospital stay and of Jin’s visit but also stage-managing, with unseen but adroit string-pulling, Casey’s new future.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Taylor Swift and Katy Perry’s feud — over backup dancers, of all things — was still partly stage-managed.
—Remy Blumenfeld, HollywoodReporter, 5 Apr. 2025
As a presidential candidate, Harris will be just as rigorously stage-managed as Joe Biden was in the closing days of his campaign.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 22 July 2024
Most of Biden’s media appearances have been stage-managed and sparing, and recently, they have been used as a form of damage control.
—Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 12 July 2024
Donors to his campaign have been struck by how stage-managed those receptions tend to be.
—Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024
Over the next two decades, Fulbright would stage-manage some of the most deeply civic moments of the era.
—Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2021
In fact, most studios stage-managed their contract players’ public images, dressing them on-screen and off.
—Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2024
During contests, officials known as expediters stage-manage the athletes.
—Alice Li, Washington Post, 14 June 2023
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Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
Taylor Swift and Katy Perry’s feud — over backup dancers, of all things — was still partly stage-managed.
—Remy Blumenfeld, HollywoodReporter, 5 Apr. 2025
As a presidential candidate, Harris will be just as rigorously stage-managed as Joe Biden was in the closing days of his campaign.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 22 July 2024
Most of Biden’s media appearances have been stage-managed and sparing, and recently, they have been used as a form of damage control.
—Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 12 July 2024
Donors to his campaign have been struck by how stage-managed those receptions tend to be.
—Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 12 July 2024
Over the next two decades, Fulbright would stage-manage some of the most deeply civic moments of the era.
—Charles King, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2021
In fact, most studios stage-managed their contract players’ public images, dressing them on-screen and off.
—Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2024
During contests, officials known as expediters stage-manage the athletes.
—Alice Li, Washington Post, 14 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Stage-manage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stage-manage. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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