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
Instead of micromanaging every finger, humans provide high-level input while the AI handles coordination.
—
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Elite athletes are not consciously micromanaging each action.
—David Van Den Heever, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
That becomes micromanaging very quickly.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2026
Senate Bill 199 drew criticism and accusations of micromanaging universities.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for micromanage
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Elite athletes are not consciously micromanaging each action.
—David Van Den Heever, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026
That becomes micromanaging very quickly.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2026
Senate Bill 199 drew criticism and accusations of micromanaging universities.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for micromanage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for micromanage
Verb
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Faster response from above The drone is controlled by a pilot at the department and can often get to a call before officers on the ground.—
Bo Evans,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Ainsley Zibrida netted a hat trick and dished four assists, while Reese Jefferson scored four goals and dished an assist while controlling two draws as Dighton-Rehoboth (4-1) defeated Greater New Bedford 16-1 in the South Coast Conference.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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My father taught me to burn disks, to back up files, and to discharge static electricity before handling a computer’s delicate innards.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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In February, an official wrote in a court filing that more than 40% of the lawyers who handle appeals in tax cases had retired, resigned, or been temporarily transferred over the previous year.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There are seeds to grab, and in some cases, a team could essentially manipulate how their side of the bracket sorts itself out.—
Tim Reynolds,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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The case would also require testimony, which meant that at least one of Bateman’s wives needed to realize she was being manipulated and abused.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, in February, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued new clinical guidelines enabling earlier diagnosis of endometriosis without surgery, a step toward addressing the delays Waters described.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Michaels addressed SNL‘s strong political bent as the sketch comedy traditionally kicks off its episodes with a pointed cold open commenting on current events.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Whether the teams ultimately relocate or negotiate new arrangements to stay, the 2026 World Cup offers a unique moment to experience this venue in a completely different context.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
21 Apr. 2026
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Vance had been slated to travel alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner to lead a US delegation to negotiate with Iranian officials.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Chavez, a 78-year-old retiree who worked as a foreman supervising construction at the site, also disappeared in May 2025, according to Los Alamos police.—
Natasha Chen,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
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Goldwyn served as writer and supervising producer on Emily in Paris, and writer on SMILF and Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, among others.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Defense attorneys will likely argue that the explosion was a tragic accident, but was unintended — even if the defendants broke rules meant to regulate the sale and storage of fireworks, Parisi said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
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The appropriate remedy is congressional overruling of the Marquette case so as to allow the states to regulate loans to their own citizens.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nerves come into play, desperation takes hold, and, for the players, reputations are there to be made as title chases and relegation scraps enter their most crucial stretch.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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When the garlic resprouts in spring, plant a new crop of spinach nearby to take full advantage of the companion plants' pest-repelling abilities.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Micromanage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/micromanage. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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