as in controlling
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 micromanaging
The company also argued the shareholder proposal amounts to micromanaging day-to-day operations.
—
Mike Schneider, Fortune, 8 Dec. 2025
Through automating repetitive tasks, flagging risks, and prioritizing leads, monday CRM helps companies spend less time micromanaging complex systems and more time closing on important, meaningful deals.
—Ethan Stone, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Kids desperately want to be able to explore and play without adults micromanaging them, Skenazy says.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The incessant crackdowns, and the campaigns of censorship or censoriousness, suggest that the Chinese regime is intent on not just eliminating opposition, but also micromanaging its people’s lifestyles, consumption, and beliefs.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025
That doesn’t mean burning out or micromanaging every detail.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 24 Aug. 2025
This resulted in a tendency to be highly active as parents of college students, which included some parents micromanaging their students.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Don't talk about trust while micromanaging.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Mike Schneider, Fortune, 8 Dec. 2025
Through automating repetitive tasks, flagging risks, and prioritizing leads, monday CRM helps companies spend less time micromanaging complex systems and more time closing on important, meaningful deals.
—Ethan Stone, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Kids desperately want to be able to explore and play without adults micromanaging them, Skenazy says.
—Charlotte Alter, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
The incessant crackdowns, and the campaigns of censorship or censoriousness, suggest that the Chinese regime is intent on not just eliminating opposition, but also micromanaging its people’s lifestyles, consumption, and beliefs.
—Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025
That doesn’t mean burning out or micromanaging every detail.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 24 Aug. 2025
This resulted in a tendency to be highly active as parents of college students, which included some parents micromanaging their students.
—Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Don't talk about trust while micromanaging.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for micromanaging
Verb
-
The lawsuit accused Reina of secretly opening and controlling corporate credit cards and using station funds to pay mortgage and property tax bills on his West Sacramento home.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
These are the roles that live between law and policy, translating statutes into guidance, writing regulatory text, defining enforcement priorities, and controlling the analytical machinery used to justify major rules.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One case his office is handling involves a refugee who was pulled over in traffic and detained by ICE officers soon after leaving home.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
People handling or consuming the products could become seriously ill due to adulteration from pests, including rodents, birds and insects, the company said.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Not long ago, California took a baby step toward addressing this rampant decay.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
These two behaviors suggest that dolphins are capable of addressing or labeling specific individuals.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Using Henry's good nature … by lying to him, by manipulating him.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Uhlaender accused the Canadian team and its coach, Joe Cecchini, of intentionally withdrawing the athletes, deliberately manipulating the field to benefit one of their own sliders’ bids for qualification.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Disregard global cooperation Warsh said that former Fed Chair Janet Yellen and Powell spent too much time negotiating with global regulators.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The most difficult part will be negotiating concessions that both sides can swallow in such a short period.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The first demos had obvious chase cars supervising the operations.—
Brad Templeton,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Duneland also brought its special education programs in-house, changing its relationship with the Porter County Education Services, which had been supervising special education teachers.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Konyndyk argued that mortality data won’t reflect many adverse outcomes of the aid cuts, because humanitarians and aid recipients are frantically reallocating funds; for example, taking money away from education to put it towards food.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Hana starts taking home a rib cage here, a few bones there, grinding them up with a mortar and pestle to make her own DIY version of the gray.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Experts recommend managing chronic stress with mindfulness, meditation and consistent physical activity to help lower cortisol levels and support healthier metabolic function and weight regulation, per Cleveland Clinic.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Peterson, who missed the last game due to an ankle sprain and is still managing cramping issues, played 20 minutes, with just three coming in the second half.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Micromanaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/micromanaging. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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