micromanage

verb

mi·​cro·​man·​age ˌmī-krō-ˈma-nij How to pronounce micromanage (audio)
micromanaged; micromanaging; micromanages

transitive verb

: to manage especially with excessive control or attention to details

intransitive verb

: to direct or conduct the activities of a group or an enterprise by micromanaging them
micromanagement noun
micromanager noun

Examples of micromanage in a Sentence

He micromanaged every detail of the budget.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On the other hand, leaders who micromanage excessively can create toxic workplaces, because their inability to delegate can reduce efficiency and signal a lack of trust in their employees. Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024 This disconnect can lead to misunderstandings, where younger staff feel unsupported and older workers feel micromanaged. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Sewell left after a year and a half while battling the persistent belief at Police Headquarters and City Hall that Adams, a former NYPD captain, and former Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks were micromanaging her and was calling most of the shots. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 20 Nov. 2024 Giamatti’s Santa is harried and bottom-heavy and has a schedule that’s micromanaged down to the second. Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for micromanage 

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of micromanage was in 1976

Dictionary Entries Near micromanage

Cite this Entry

“Micromanage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/micromanage. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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