as in to control
chiefly US
to try to oversee all the small parts of (something, such as an activity) in a way that is usually not wanted or that causes problems
He micromanaged every detail of the budget.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of micromanage
Kids desperately want to be able to explore and play without adults micromanaging them, Skenazy says.
—
Charlotte Alter, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The incessant crackdowns, and the campaigns of censorship or censoriousness, suggest that the Chinese regime is intent on not just eliminating opposition, but also micromanaging its people’s lifestyles, consumption, and beliefs.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025
That doesn’t mean burning out or micromanaging every detail.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 24 Aug. 2025
In his exit memo, Bennett urged the commission to avoid micromanaging the negotiation process and instead focus on big-picture policy, public engagement and trust-building.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for micromanage
Charlotte Alter, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The incessant crackdowns, and the campaigns of censorship or censoriousness, suggest that the Chinese regime is intent on not just eliminating opposition, but also micromanaging its people’s lifestyles, consumption, and beliefs.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025
That doesn’t mean burning out or micromanaging every detail.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 24 Aug. 2025
In his exit memo, Bennett urged the commission to avoid micromanaging the negotiation process and instead focus on big-picture policy, public engagement and trust-building.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for micromanage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for micromanage
Verb
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Cycling the heat on and off allows the robots to adjust speed and even change direction — proof that controlled, repeatable motion is possible at this tiny scale.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
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The goals of treatment are to control the infection, stabilize the patient and support any organs that are affected or failing.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The weaknesses Even if Sorokin can handle whatever the Islanders throw his way, this team still has a lot of work to do to regain its identity as a defensively sound team.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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Wulff Funeral Home in Woodbury is handling arrangements.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The twilight of empire was also a time of conspiracy theories about international Jewish cabals, said to manipulate power through money and shadowy networks in order to rule the world.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
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Wood said that the Google is manipulating the market in a way that is antithetical to free market competition.—
Michael Liedtke,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Trump is scheduled to address the gathering Tuesday.—
Tonya Simpson,
ABC News,
23 Sep. 2025
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The relaunch aimed to attract wealthy foreigners while addressing some of the criticisms levelled at the earlier program.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The deal was negotiated by Piantedosi and Manager of Acquisitions and Sales Rachel White on behalf of Vertical and by CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
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The Obama Administration secretly negotiated the Iran nuclear deal without consulting GCC capitals.—
Firas Maksad,
Time,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In their recommendation, Warner and Kaine said Nachmanoff supervised a team that represented more than 2,500 clients accused of federal violations ranging from petty offenses to capital murder.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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Erica Hayes is supervising director.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The opinion, issued 10 days ago in California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal, is a clear example of why the state’s legal authorities are scrambling to regulate the use of AI in the judiciary.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
22 Sep. 2025
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This regulates your body’s fight or flight response, mood, attention, focus, learning, and memory.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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To start a skin-care line, for example—it’s called Elm Biosciences—this has taken a long time.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
25 Sep. 2025
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Investors 'on the fence' In its September European Fund Managers Survey — which polled 196 panelists who collectively manage assets worth $490 billion — Bank of America found that investor confidence in Europe had taken a hit.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Micromanage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/micromanage. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.
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