conduct 1 of 2

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2
as in to direct
to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway the gutter conducts water to the curb, thus protecting the house's basement

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in to steer
to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front a job conducting tourists through the historical museum

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5

conduct

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word conduct distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of conduct are control, direct, and manage. While all these words mean "to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate," conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group.

conducted negotiations

In what contexts can control take the place of conduct?

The meanings of control and conduct largely overlap; however, control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course.

controlling his appetite

When might direct be a better fit than conduct?

While in some cases nearly identical to conduct, direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation.

directs the store's day-to-day business

When can manage be used instead of conduct?

The words manage and conduct can be used in similar contexts, but manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result.

manages a meat market

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of conduct
Verb
The intricate preparation work was conducted at INL, the United States’ leading center for nuclear energy research. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025 In a survey from brokerage firm Evercore ISI conducted last year, ChatGPT respondents saying ChatGPT was their top search provider increased to 5% from 1% four months prior. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
In a letter sent Wednesday to families of Laguna Creek High students, Principal Mark Benson said Collins was arrested for allegedly engaging in inappropriate conduct with a student. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2025 In September, Covington Schools conducted an internal investigation and followed the processes outlined in its student code of conduct, including notifying law enforcement and initiating student disciplinary actions, the district said. Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conduct
Verb
  • Susan Zirinsky and Terence Wrong serve as executive producers for See It Now, with Aysu Saliba and Cara Tortora supervising producers.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Phil Hanna was to supervise the hanging, and Arthur Hash was to pull the trigger that would cause the fall.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Stir 1/2 cup flour into fat in Step 2; continue as directed.
    Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Paulson braved the press, and fielded questions about what Keaton meant to her all these years after having met while shooting The Other Sister, the 1999 drama directed by Garry Marshall.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Patrick addressed the tension between his team and the Lions after the game, taking a slight jab at the way Detroit behaves on the field.
    Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
  • This means that even a very small number of malicious files inserted into training data can teach a model to behave in unexpected or harmful ways when triggered by a specific phrase or pattern.
    Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Patriots have taken the high road, steering clear of the public sniping.
    Dianna Russini, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The container shipping companies have steered clear of the Red Sea and the neighboring Gulf of Aden due to ongoing missile and drone attacks from Houthi militants based in Yemen.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • By regularly sending feedback signals within a WiFi network, known as beamforming feedback information (BFI), devices transmit data in an unencrypted form that can be read by third parties.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike mosquitoes and flies that can carry diseases, most spiders rarely transmit communicable diseases to humans.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The department is also in the process of updating its records management systems and updating the systems in its patrol cars.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2025
  • That’s the beauty of game management.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While hilarious and adorable, owners with sassy dogs should ensure the behavior does not evolve into defiance or aggression.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Given the previous behavior of Netanyahu and the Hamas leadership, there is every chance that violence might erupt again.
    Bobby Ghosh, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As director of student media, Jim Rodenbush did not directly oversee or have any say over the content published in the IDS, per a charter between the IDS and the university.
    Cate Charron, IndyStar, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The milestone follows León’s relationship with his manager and business partner, Jorge Juárez, who began overseeing his career nearly two years ago.
    Leila Cobo, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conduct. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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