as in controlled
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 micromanaged
As the clock counts down to Rachel and Nicky’s wedding, which is being micromanaged by Nicky’s sister Portia (Gus Birney), the Cunningham family reveals a few secrets of their own.
—
Sam Reed, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026
You can’t be truly trusted if you are being micromanaged or scared to make a mistake.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2026
What once was an obstacle to allowing others to help, has come under new management, finally allowing the rest of the family to jump in on the action without fear of being micromanaged.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Allen even complained that he was being micromanaged about a week before the Tamarac murders.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 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
Sam Reed, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026
You can’t be truly trusted if you are being micromanaged or scared to make a mistake.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2026
What once was an obstacle to allowing others to help, has come under new management, finally allowing the rest of the family to jump in on the action without fear of being micromanaged.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Allen even complained that he was being micromanaged about a week before the Tamarac murders.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for micromanaged
Verb
-
For the first time all season, both stars controlled the game — just at different times.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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These images are easy to fake or are displayed on fraudulent websites controlled by the scammer.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trump fired Bondi on April 2, reportedly after being unhappy with the way the attorney general had handled issues relating to the Epstein files.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
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On arrival, guests are paired with a personal local guide–think of it as the hinterland’s answer to a butler—on hand to arrange everything from restaurant bookings to last-minute requests, typically handled with a quick text.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The price of Celsius crypto would go up, but it was being manipulated by those in charge, all as a way to get ordinary citizens to invest.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Figures show crime was already on the decline before, although those figures are being investigated after claims arose against local police that they may have been manipulated.—
Gary Fields,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Scott Dochterman grades the pick Baltimore addressed its porous pass rush (30 sacks last year) by signing Trey Hendrickson this offseason.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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In a message addressed to residents of southern Lebanon, IDF Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that Israeli troops continued to maintain their positions in southern Lebanon amid the current truce, which is set to expire Sunday.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The one modern exception came during the 50-50 Senate of 2021-2022, and only because both parties had negotiated a power-sharing agreement that altered the rules by mutual consent.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
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Last month, Foster negotiated a new three-year, $33 million extension for the Green Bay Packers’ Sean Rhyan, a Southern California native and UCLA product.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Along with overseeing Sacramento economic development, Jasso also supervised animal care services, code enforcement and the city’s cultural services.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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Last week, North Korea said leader Kim Jong Un supervised missile tests from the country’s destroyer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Authorities regulated wrestling as a sport; this meant taxes, regulations, and safety laws.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Prediction markets are also more widely available than online betting apps, because they’re regulated differently.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Spartans took a 1-0 lead in the first on a two-out single by Hannah Estrada.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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General manager Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh wisely took him.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Micromanaged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/micromanaged. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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