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
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
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
-
Out of 111 families surveyed, about 20 percent of them now own a controlling stake in a sports team, its 2025 Principal Discussions Report said.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In one sequence, a single soldier was shown controlling nine wolf robots and six drones simultaneously, using a real-time 3D battlefield interface.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
With 40 grind settings and a 300 gram bean hopper, this electric grinder is capable of handling grinding for larger batches.—
Jack Byram,
Architectural Digest,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The main challenges include aligning climate finance commitments between developed and developing countries, addressing the socio-economic impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations and ensuring that emission reduction targets are consistent with the latest climate science.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
-
By addressing it daily, your clothes chair remains useful for quick drops but won’t become a burden.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
By manipulating phase distribution, engineers can craft internal ion highways rather than relying on chance material behavior.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
This summer, after initially targeting Punch, the president of SZA’s label TDE, Minaj dissed SZA herself on X, mocking her physical appearance, questioning her level of success, and accusing her of manipulating charts with her release of Lana, the deluxe version of 2022’s SOS.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Schumer on Saturday persisted in arguing that Republicans should accept a one-year extension of the subsidies before negotiating the future of the tax credits.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer argues Republicans should accept a one-year extension of the subsidies before negotiating the future of the tax credits.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Policies that prevent managers from supervising or evaluating their partners are a start.—
Emily Nix,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Though supervising shifts pay more.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When in doubt, close the page and verify the URL before taking any action.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Roan ended up taking home the trophy.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Containment is part of a larger plan for managing a wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
-
The National Institutes of Health has tips for managing symptoms, including limiting alcohol and caffeine, and maintaining a healthy body weight.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Micromanaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/micromanaging. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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