as in controlled
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 micromanaged
What once was an obstacle to allowing others to help, has come under new management, finally allowing the rest of the family to jump in on the action without fear of being micromanaged.
—
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
As the clock counts down to Rachel and Nicky’s wedding, which is being micromanaged by Nicky’s sister Portia (Gus Birney), the Cunningham family reveals a few secrets of their own.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026
You can’t be truly trusted if you are being micromanaged or scared to make a mistake.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2026
Allen even complained that he was being micromanaged about a week before the Tamarac murders.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
Workers who are micromanaged report nearly double the stress compared with non-micromanaged workers, according to the 2023 Work in America Survey.
—Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Their words painted a portrait of someone who micromanaged, monopolized the spotlight and rarely recognized individual contributions.
—Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
As the clock counts down to Rachel and Nicky’s wedding, which is being micromanaged by Nicky’s sister Portia (Gus Birney), the Cunningham family reveals a few secrets of their own.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2026
You can’t be truly trusted if you are being micromanaged or scared to make a mistake.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2026
Allen even complained that he was being micromanaged about a week before the Tamarac murders.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
Workers who are micromanaged report nearly double the stress compared with non-micromanaged workers, according to the 2023 Work in America Survey.
—Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Their words painted a portrait of someone who micromanaged, monopolized the spotlight and rarely recognized individual contributions.
—Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for micromanaged
Verb
-
If the user followed the instructions, including entering a PIN or scanning a QR code, their Signal accounts were linked to an external device controlled by the hackers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
McKinsey estimates that $100 trillion in wealth will pass to the next generation over the next few decades—and by 2030, 40% of investable wealth will be controlled by women.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
James has handled the majority of the play-making responsibilities, had eight turnovers in each of the last two games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Distribution in Australia and New Zealand will be handled by Umbrella Entertainment.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, confirming that in humans is more challenging, given that human brain cells that can be manipulated to test the findings are of the deceased.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Known as the godfather of public relations, Bernays explained how the unconscious element of people in democratic societies could be manipulated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Scott Dochterman grades the pick Baltimore addressed its porous pass rush (30 sacks last year) by signing Trey Hendrickson this offseason.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In a message addressed to residents of southern Lebanon, IDF Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that Israeli troops continued to maintain their positions in southern Lebanon amid the current truce, which is set to expire Sunday.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The deal was negotiated by Ben Kim, Head of Development and Acquisitions, and Addie Booth, Manager of Acquisitions, at Electric Entertainment, and Robert Benun and Mark Gill on behalf of the film.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The deal was negotiated by Koehler for Shudder with Isadora Johnson for Cinetic on behalf of the filmmakers.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At Surfside, the different beach areas are cleaned daily and supervised by lifeguards.—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Alvarez could face up to 20 years in prison, supervised release of at least five years to a lifetime, and a fine of up to $250,000.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
They’re regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to ensure proper safeguards are in place to prevent microscopic cement particles from causing health problems in nearby residents.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The president did not legalize psychedelics or weed, but his orders change the way these drugs will be regulated.—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chaminade took an 11-10 lead in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by Siena Greenlinger.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, on Wednesday evening, Carr posted a riposte to a commenter on X who took aim at the FCC chief.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Micromanaged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/micromanaged. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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