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
Don't talk about trust while micromanaging.
—
Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Rather than micromanaging, use this as your awareness tool.
—Rachel Montanez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Firsthand accounts from past employees about micromanaging, disrespect, or unfair treatment could justify declining, since a bad boss can make a potential dream job miserable.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Trust Your Team Members Tech leaders undermine innovation by micromanaging and stifling autonomy, creating fear instead of experimentation.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Promote Creativity And Reward Fresh Ideas Tech leaders can hinder innovation and creativity by micromanaging projects, unintentionally discouraging risk-taking and preventing the team from implementing new ideas.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
The technology focuses on trends over time rather than micromanaging every conversation.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
This approach isn’t about micromanaging or rigid hierarchies.
—Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Rather than micromanaging, provide clear expectations and guidance, then step back.
—Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Rather than micromanaging, use this as your awareness tool.
—Rachel Montanez, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Firsthand accounts from past employees about micromanaging, disrespect, or unfair treatment could justify declining, since a bad boss can make a potential dream job miserable.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Trust Your Team Members Tech leaders undermine innovation by micromanaging and stifling autonomy, creating fear instead of experimentation.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Promote Creativity And Reward Fresh Ideas Tech leaders can hinder innovation and creativity by micromanaging projects, unintentionally discouraging risk-taking and preventing the team from implementing new ideas.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
The technology focuses on trends over time rather than micromanaging every conversation.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
This approach isn’t about micromanaging or rigid hierarchies.
—Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Rather than micromanaging, provide clear expectations and guidance, then step back.
—Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for micromanaging
Verb
-
Identifying and addressing these core issues sustains morale while driving real progress.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Rather than implementing sweeping bans or heavy-handed restrictions, policymakers should focus on enforcing existing laws, ensuring responsible management, and addressing concerns without punishing an industry that’s so important for Florida’s economy.—
Shaun McCorry,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Just as manipulating actuality is the soul of cinema, playing with subjectivity is the soul of AI as an artistic medium.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Biohacking sales isn’t about manipulating people.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The two players have been negotiating deals with Cincinnati to keep them with the organization for years to come.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Looking for flexibility with terms can be just as valuable as negotiating a lower purchase price.—
James Nelson,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Roles will increasingly revolve around supervising, collaborating with, or augmenting the capabilities of AI agents.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Rick Morales is supervising producer.—
Rick Porter,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
According to Amazon, Nova Act is capable of booking trips, completing online purchases and managing calendars and to-do lists.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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By connecting with external applications, agents can take care of shopping, scheduling, managing travel, and many of our day-to-day interactions with digital services.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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On the other hand, if your social media app of choice elicits feelings of insufficiency, and self-control resources are burned up by exerting will power to avoid consuming products, or regulating hard emotions, than that experience is important to notice.—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes,
30 Dec. 2024
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The drug may achieve these benefits by regulating cellular growth and metabolism.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Micromanaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/micromanaging. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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