CONDUCT Synonyms: 214 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'conduct' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of conduct are control , direct , and manage . While all these words mean "to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate," conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group. // conducted negotiations

Q: In what contexts can 'control' take the place of 'conduct'?

The meanings of control and conduct largely overlap; however, control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course. // controlling his appetite

Q: When might 'direct' be a better fit than 'conduct'?

While in some cases nearly identical to conduct , direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation. // directs the store's day-to-day business

Q: When can 'manage' be used instead of 'conduct'?

The words manage and conduct can be used in similar contexts, but manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result. // manages a meat market

conduct 1 of 2

verb

kən-ˈdəkt

Definition of conduct next

as in to supervise

to look after and make decisions about the company's president continues to conduct the everyday affairs of the software firm he founded many years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to direct

to cause to move to a central point or along a restricted pathway the gutter conducts water to the curb, thus protecting the house's basement

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as in to behave

to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way conducted themselves at the party like perfect ladies and gentlemen

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to steer

to point out the way for (someone) especially from a position in front a job conducting tourists through the historical museum

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to transmit

to cause (something) to pass from one to another a material that conducts heat quite efficiently

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conduct

2 of 2

noun

ˈkän-(ˌ)dəkt

as in management

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something the President was happy to leave the conduct of foreign affairs to his secretary of state

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in behavior

the way or manner in which one conducts oneself a child who has often been scolded for poor conduct

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word conduct distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of conduct are control, direct, and manage. While all these words mean "to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate," conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group.

conducted negotiations

In what contexts can control take the place of conduct?

The meanings of control and conduct largely overlap; however, control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course.

controlling his appetite

When might direct be a better fit than conduct?

While in some cases nearly identical to conduct, direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation.

directs the store's day-to-day business

When can manage be used instead of conduct?

The words manage and conduct can be used in similar contexts, but manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result.

manages a meat market

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of conduct

Verb

Americans largely support women in combat roles The Gallup telephone poll of 1,001 adults in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia was conducted from Jan. 21-27. —

Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 Prosecutors explained that the charges have been filed in connection with an organized crime ring, which has conducted burglaries across multiple states. —

Sam Gillette, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025

Noun

Driving the news: Two fans were ejected from Monday night's game at the American Airlines Center for violating the NBA code of conduct. —

Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025 The next day, she was fired for opposing Washington’s conduct, the lawsuit said. —

Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for conduct

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conduct

Verb

Finding and mobilizing sufficient security guards to supervise the migrant detainees has been an issue limiting transfers to the base, the two U.S. officials said.

— Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2025
New York City’s child welfare agency cannot continue to supervise survivors of domestic violence who have ousted abusive partners from the home, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025