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
Rather than micromanaging, set clear performance expectations and empower employees to take ownership of their roles.
—
Jacob Kupietzky, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The new law is more than a DEI ban, also outlawing faculty strikes and micromanaging many aspects of how public colleges and universities operate.
—Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025
Preparing for a 162-game baseball season is a long, meticulous process, made more complicated by the introduction of pitch labs, video analysis and generally micromanaging a team through better technology.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Stop trying to micromanage her reaction to your hurtful actions, however earnest your motives were.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for micromanage
Jacob Kupietzky, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The new law is more than a DEI ban, also outlawing faculty strikes and micromanaging many aspects of how public colleges and universities operate.
—Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025
Preparing for a 162-game baseball season is a long, meticulous process, made more complicated by the introduction of pitch labs, video analysis and generally micromanaging a team through better technology.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Stop trying to micromanage her reaction to your hurtful actions, however earnest your motives were.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for micromanage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for micromanage
Verb
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This language is shorthand for Kyiv agreeing to permanent neutrality in return for a security guarantee and accepting that Russia controls swathes of Ukraine.—
Tom Balmforth,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
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The two nations to emerge from the bloody partition of British India – Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan – both claim Kashmir in full, despite only controlling parts of it.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
11 May 2025
Verb
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Multiple dialogue options suggest multiple ways to handle story scenarios.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
18 May 2025
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This names someone who can pay your bills and otherwise handle your finances if you become incapacitated.—
Liz Weston,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Life-changing events, including the loss of a spouse, early onset dementia or another medical issue, can trigger changes in the way someone would react to anyone who is experienced at manipulating people to part with their money.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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For instance, prompt injection attacks—a new twist on the traditional prompt injection attack, where malicious prompts manipulate AI behavior—require novel defensive approaches beyond conventional security controls.—
Omar Turner,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Verb
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The opinion also addressed fears voiced by critics that allowing the firings of Wilcox and Harris would jeopardize the independence of the Federal Reserve.—
John Kruzel,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Robinson addressed Knox's reconviction a day later on an episode of Labryinths.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Trump signed an executive order on Monday encouraging linking the cost of prescription drugs to what's paid in other nations where drug prices are negotiated by their government and tend to be much lower.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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But the next phase of Trump’s agenda runs through the House, where Republicans are negotiating a budget bill extending his first-term tax cuts, now set to expire at the end of the year, while cutting social programs, including Medicaid.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Verb
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In 2023, Florida ended a more than two-decade experiment that saw child protective investigators employed and supervised by sheriff’s offices in seven counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco.—
Christopher O’Donnell,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
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Shamkhani said that if a deal were to take place, Iran would not make nuclear weapons, would reduce stockpiles of enriched uranium to a level only needed for civilian use, and would allow international inspectors to supervise the process.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
16 May 2025
Verb
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This process helps us self-audit, regulate our practices and identify areas for improvement.—
Geoff Scott,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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Each one shapes how we’re perceived and how others regulate their own behavior in response.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
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The man took the books from the Beachwood branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) in early April, only to later post a video of himself burning the books on social media, according to a May 2 police report viewed by USA TODAY.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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One of our last photos of him was taken inside that diner, grinning at us over an orange coffee cup.—
Gwen Rockwood,
Arkansas Online,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Micromanage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/micromanage. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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