Synonyms of conduct

conduct 1 of 2

verb

kən-ˈdəkt 

1

as in to supervise

to look after and make decisions about

the company's president continues to conduct the everyday affairs of the software firm he founded many years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

• supervise
• oversee
• operate
• manage
• regulate
• control
• handle
• govern
• run
• administer
• direct
• guide
• tend
• keep
• protect
• carry on
• administrate
• preside (over)
• superintend
• watch over
• overlook
• steward
• lead
• steer
• watch
• safeguard
• pilot
• care (for)
• guard
• mind
• stage-manage
• micromanage
• codirect
• comanage

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

• direct
• carry
• channel
• pipe
• funnel
• channelize
• canalize
• focus
• siphon
• transmit
• convey
• syphon
• consolidate
• concentrate

3

as in to behave

to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way

conducted themselves at the party like perfect ladies and gentlemen

Synonyms & Similar Words

• behave
• carry
• acquit
• restrain
• handle
• compose
• contain
• comport
• collect
• control
• quit
• demean
• inhibit
• check
• play
• constrain
• act
• deport
• bear
• curb
• modulate
• quiet
• temper
• moderate
• repress
• impersonate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misconduct
• carry on
• cut up
• misbehave
• act up

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

• steer
• guide
• lead
• accompany
• show
• direct
• route
• pilot
• escort
• usher
• marshall
• precede
• marshal
• attend
• manage
• control
• chaperon
• chaperone
• see
• convoy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• follow
• trail
• dog
• tail
• shadow
• hound
• tailgate

5

as in to transmit

to cause (something) to pass from one to another

a material that conducts heat quite efficiently

Synonyms & Similar Words

• transmit
• spread
• give
• communicate
• convey
• impart
• disseminate
• propagate
• transfer
• deliver
• transfuse
• diffuse
• broadcast
• hand over
• turn over
• surrender
• contaminate
• infect
• hand down
• hand on
• poison

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• catch
• contract
• come down (with)

conduct

2 of 2

noun

ˈkän-(ˌ)dəkt 

1

as in management

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something

the President was happy to leave the conduct of foreign affairs to his secretary of state

Synonyms & Similar Words

• management
• operation
• handling
• supervision
• control
• administration
• oversight
• stewardship
• government
• direction
• governance
• regulation
• guidance
• presidency
• charge
• leadership
• running
• superintendence
• care
• superintendency
• intendance
• custody
• agency
• protection
• manipulation
• engineering
• generalship
• logistics
• guardianship
• trust
• safekeeping
• tutelage
• ward
• keeping
• lap
• rulership
• aegis
• codirection
• machination
• comanagement
• egis
• coadministration

2

as in behavior

the way or manner in which one conducts oneself

a child who has often been scolded for poor conduct

Synonyms & Similar Words

• behavior
• actions
• demeanor
• presence
• attitude
• deportment
• manners
• comportment
• address
• bearing
• trait
• characteristic
• look
• practice
• etiquette
• geste
• form
• posture
• style
• pose
• courtesy
• decorum
• proprieties
• practise
• habit
• gest
• aspect
• rules
• politeness
• air
• protocol
• affectation
• civility
• pattern
• mores
• mode
• carriage
• custom
• attribute
• poise
• formality
• mien
• convention
• fashion
• wont
• amenity
• trick
• distinctiveness
• p's and q's
• peculiarity
• habitude
• uniqueness
• singularity
• mark
• strangeness
• weirdness
• oddity

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

Recent Examples of conduct

Verb

On the same flight that Katy Perry brought a daisy symbolizing love for her daughter, Aisha conducted three pivotal experiments. —Jasmine Leflore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025

And this is backed by recent research from Coleman Parkes, which conducted a report on behalf of our company. —Jennifer Chase, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Noun

As of 2021, the United States still invested far more than any other nation in the conduct of basic scientific research. —L. Rafael Reif, Foreign Affairs, 6 May 2025

He was convicted of two counts of human trafficking and three counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with girls under 16. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 5 May 2025