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

2 of 2

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
Set at the same German university over three time periods spanning two centuries, the plot, which is more like a sketchpad of scenes and ideas, follows a trio of characters each conducting botany experiments that test the communicative powers of nature. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025 Researchers conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with the women, aged 25–70, including mothers, over a period of 14 months. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Carter still struggled with on-field conduct over his first two seasons. Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025 Lenhart was reported by the match officials for violent conduct. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conduct
Verb
  • The military, led by an officer known only as the Major (Mark Hamill, the right amount of hammy), remains in control and supervises the Walk.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The complainant also said parents needed to supervise and teach their children how to use equipment safely.
    Gillian Stawiszynski, The Enquirer, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The emergency proclamation authorizes the Hawaii National Guard to assist civilian authorities and directs all state agencies to cooperate in response efforts.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Mourinho’s arrival at United was a response to some of the criticisms directed at his predecessor, Louis van Gaal.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • So how these sports gambling firms are behaving in response to these new state taxes is hardly surprising.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
  • And across industries, creators feel the same pressure to behave like machines, churn out more and feed the algorithm.
    Rod Yancy, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This will mark the first time LL Cool J, 57, is steering the ship solo.
    Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • That’s before, in recent years, the Canadian government steered dedicated funding to support First Nations creative talent.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jumbotrons at Tiananmen Square beamed the image to the 50,000 people gathered under the beating Beijing sun to witness the spectacle, many waving small Chinese flags, while state media transmitted it to televisions across China and the world.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Rabies is a virus that is transmitted to humans by a bite or scratch from a rabid animal, according to the CDC.
    Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Rachael Holder, whose feature directorial debut Love, Brooklyn is making a splash at the indie box office, has signed with ColorCreative for management.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Accion’s investments from the new fund — made before reaching a final close last month — include Nigerian payroll management startup PaidHR in June, and Kenyan online commerce venture Flowcart (formerly called Sukhiba) last year.
    Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The district says the money will help pay for a laundry list of programs, such as all-day kindergarten at all grade schools; the universal free breakfast program; pre-K centers; expanded career-technical education programs; and additional social workers, counselors and behavior specialists.
    Kevin Richert, Idaho Statesman, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The news follows Rudin’s announced return to theatrical producing, after a Hollywood Reporter investigation in 2021 had detailed multiple allegations of abusive behavior in claims from ex-staffers.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Kansas City Election Board, which oversees voting within Kansas City limits, will receive about $900,000 from the general fund in the Jackson County budget about three weeks before the election, Ealom and KCEB Republican Director Shawn Kieffer said.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Those cuts, included laying off more than half the workers at the Institute of Education Sciences, IES, the arm of the department charged with measuring student achievement and overseeing and processing the data that comes from the tests students take.
    Sequoia Carrillo, NPR, 9 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conduct. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on conduct

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!