conduct 1 of 2

1
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
And the county had also conducted a small-business survey in 2023 that hinted at how the pollution crisis has affected them. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025 Eligibility redeterminations would be conducted at least twice per year to ensure enrollees still meet those requirements. Lorie Konish, CNBC, 25 June 2025
Noun
The former Massachusetts State trooper who led the probe into O’Keefe’s death was fired over his conduct in the investigation but has denied allegations of corruption. Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 23 June 2025 Sargent was named the interim CEO in March following the abrupt resignation of Kroger’s former leader, Rodney McMullen, after an investigation into his personal conduct. Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for conduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conduct
Verb
  • The flights will have regular communications with air traffic control towers, a wide array of sensors on board and someone supervising the plane from below. Plans for the company’s air taxis also are being tested at two other U.S. airports., Houston and Long Beach, California.
    Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
  • Never feed or approach bears, secure all garbage, clean and store grills and fire pits properly, store any toys when not in use and make sure young children and pets are supervised when outside.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • The music video, which shows a frustrated Camilo looking for answers in an office space, was directed by Evaluna Montaner and Sebastian Andrade at his own El Taller Creativo in Miami.
    Luisa Calle, Billboard, 27 June 2025
  • It is directed by Paola Randi, who co-wrote it with Salvatore De Mola and Andrea Valagussa.
    John Bleasdale, Variety, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • An aside: phosphorylation is when a tiny chemical group called a phosphate is added to a protein, such as tau, which is like adding a switch to change how the protein behaves.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 June 2025
  • Yet, but Buyers Are Gaining Power For Hale, the recent shifts in the U.S. housing market signals that the country is moving in favor of buyers—and under certain aspects is already behaving more like a buyer's market than a seller's one.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • They’re embedded just enough to carry the weight—but not enough to steer the ship.
    Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • At the same time, Wynwood Norte is seeing some of the fruits of the rezoning in the form of several low-scale, neighborhood-friendly workforce apartment buildings that are now under construction, said Miami attorney Steven Wernick, who helped steer that plan to approval.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The thalamus acts as a control center and transmits sensory signals to various areas of the cerebral cortex.
    Christian Wolf, Scientific American, 25 June 2025
  • West Nile is often transmitted from the Culex house mosquito, a medium-sized mosquito that is typically brown in color.
    Katherine Weaver, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The idea that residents should trust a city coming off 30 years of grievous management errors to handle this task well is hard to believe.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025
  • Simply removing bears from the list and handing management to the states, which is the default after a species delisting, isn’t enough, says Chris Servheen — not when so much is still in flux.
    Christine Peterson, Vox, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • At Bock Realty Group, trust is built in the small, consistent behaviors that often go unnoticed: celebrating wins, checking in without being asked, and showing up with steady care.
    Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The intense exchange between Kemp, 48, and Rock, 25, took place early Tuesday (July 1) morning, with Rock allegedly calling the social media personality to seemingly address Kemp’s remarks regarding her behavior and parenting of her son with rapper Blueface, who is currently incarcerated.
    Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The Twin Rivers School District oversees the charter school and ensures its compliance with laws.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2025
  • The city’s Transportation Department oversees more than 4,000 miles of streets; streetlights, bridges and intersections; more than 400 miles of bike lanes and trails; and the partnerships that operate the Divvy bike-share system and the city’s e-scooters.
    Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conduct. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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