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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Recent Examples of micromanage
Angie Katsanevas, who loves brand names, beauty and micromanaging her family, swaps lives with off-the-grid homesteader and former Mormon Lindsay Flake, whose family lives without electricity, running water and rules.
—
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
Workers who are micromanaged report nearly double the stress compared with non-micromanaged workers, according to the 2023 Work in America Survey.
—Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Their words painted a portrait of someone who micromanaged, monopolized the spotlight and rarely recognized individual contributions.
—Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Kids desperately want to be able to explore and play without adults micromanaging them, Skenazy says.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for micromanage
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
Workers who are micromanaged report nearly double the stress compared with non-micromanaged workers, according to the 2023 Work in America Survey.
—Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Their words painted a portrait of someone who micromanaged, monopolized the spotlight and rarely recognized individual contributions.
—Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Kids desperately want to be able to explore and play without adults micromanaging them, Skenazy says.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for micromanage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for micromanage
Verb
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The buttons control the cooking modes, temperature setting (up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit), and cook time, which can also be conveniently adjusted using the dial.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
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More than 60% of 136 facilities connected to missile production or the Chinese military’s rocket force, which controls China’s nuclear arsenal, showed signs of expansion in satellite images.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
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Gloves are recommended when handling.—
Randy Moll,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These children are being targeted by extremists Khalid and Juneid—the latter being Yassir’s uncle—who plan to recruit and indoctrinate them into their militant movement, manipulating vulnerable youth with promises of faith and belonging under the orders of a mysterious leader known as Bhaijaan.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
8 Nov. 2025
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Bode’s comment was strictly in reference to the character of the Wizard of Oz, who uses propaganda to manipulate and deceive his subjects in Wicked.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Senators attached the continuing resolution to a package of spending bills addressing military construction, veterans affairs, agriculture and congressional operations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
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Their decision has highlighted deep divisions over legislative priorities and political strategy as lawmakers scramble to resolve the shutdown and address its nationwide consequences.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This has given the conflict a religious coloration, and political elites have also chosen to politicize the conflict to negotiate power and other interests, which has complicated the problem.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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One head of a negotiating delegation told CNN they were being charged more than $20,000 for two weeks in a three-bedroom apartment.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The boards for the district develop and approve policies for the schools; hire, supervise and evaluate the superintendent; and approve budgets set by the superintendent.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
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Laurie Orlando, who has supervised talent recruitment and strategy at CBS News for nearly a decade, is leaving the Paramount Skydance operation — the latest of the news division’s senior executives to exit as the parent company overhauls its operations under an iconoclastic new editor in chief.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Protects Heart Health Potassium is a mineral found in carrots that helps regulate blood pressure.—
Julie Marks,
Verywell Health,
10 Nov. 2025
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Before 1980, most cars had carburetors, a car part that regulates the air-fuel mixture in an engine.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Back in 2006, the restoration work of Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony), the largest building in the palace, took less than two years.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Standing in the way of technology development is not a good look for the Democratic Party, but demanding that tech companies foot the bill for the need to modernize, upgrade and massively expand utility electricity generation would be a good position to take.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Micromanage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/micromanage. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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