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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of micromanaging
Overcome by the realization that her youngest child would soon be leaving her, Robbins coped by micromanaging the scene.
—
Catherine Pearson, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
The small business owner runs ragged working in the business, micromanaging every aspect of it and linking its success or failure to their effort, with no plan or ambition to free themselves from the workaday responsibilities.
—Matt Reynolds, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
For example, listing off complaints about your micromanaging boss won’t reflect well on you.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Constantly treating good employees poorly, micromanaging those that don’t need it and refusing to pay employees appropriately will drive away the best employees to competitors and other industries.
—Madeleine Parrish, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024
Bad bosses sap agency by micromanaging, which is the opposite of granting and supporting autonomy.
—Aliza Knox, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Catherine Pearson, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
The small business owner runs ragged working in the business, micromanaging every aspect of it and linking its success or failure to their effort, with no plan or ambition to free themselves from the workaday responsibilities.
—Matt Reynolds, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
For example, listing off complaints about your micromanaging boss won’t reflect well on you.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Constantly treating good employees poorly, micromanaging those that don’t need it and refusing to pay employees appropriately will drive away the best employees to competitors and other industries.
—Madeleine Parrish, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024
Bad bosses sap agency by micromanaging, which is the opposite of granting and supporting autonomy.
—Aliza Knox, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for micromanaging
Verb
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Because climate change impacts poor nations the most, jobs addressing it can be a great opportunity to support vulnerable communities, which could be a meaningful change from a high-pressure corporate role in, say, New York or London.—
Aliza Knox,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
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Unfortunately, his goals of expanding and strengthening the Affordable Care Act (ACA), enhancing coverage and affordability, addressing rural and mental health, and lowering prescription drug costs proved largely aspirational.—
Steve Brozak,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The majority is manipulating a personal tragedy to scapegoat immigrants.—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
7 Jan. 2025
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Stop motion is so time-consuming — days of manipulating puppets one frame at a time for a few seconds of footage — that no animator wants to do reshoots.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, financing customers from your own balance sheet can strain resources, while negotiating credit facilities often involves lengthy and intricate processes.—
Ashish Srimal,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
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Sources said the switch allowed parties involved in the transaction to renegotiate their part, with the various players negotiating concessions to stay in the transaction, causing a bit of a behind-the-scenes hubbub as the finish line approached.—
David Moin,
WWD,
26 Dec. 2024
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
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Chelle had been managing Algerian first-division side MC Oran before being appointed Nigeria’s head coach.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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Cultivate work-life balance Senior professionals often face the challenge of managing demanding roles alongside personal commitments.—
Andrew Fennell,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 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 3 Apr. 2025.
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