micromanage

verb

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

transitive verb

: to manage especially with excessive control or attention to small matters that is not wanted or causes problems
likes to micromanage every detail of the budget

intransitive verb

: to direct or conduct the activities of a group or an enterprise by micromanaging them
Your team members … want to develop and self-direct. If you micromanage, they can't demonstrate their competence …—Lisa Zigarmi
micromanagement
ˌmī-krō-ˈma-nij-mənt How to pronounce micromanage (audio)
noun
micromanager
ˌmī-krō-ˈma-ni-jər How to pronounce micromanage (audio)
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.
Los Angeles should not respond by adopting a City Charter that micromanages port operations. — Tim Jemal, Daily News, 5 June 2026 The document itself is an odd grab-bag of micromanaging grant processes, assertion of presidential power, and airing of cultural grievances. — ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026 Instead, Putin spends more time in underground bunkers micromanaging his war, paranoid about a coup or an assassination attempt by Ukrainian drones, sources told the Financial Times. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 May 2026 State involvement should focus on setting broad standards and ensuring accountability, not micromanaging classroom decisions from Annapolis. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026 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

Rhymes for micromanage

See All Rhymes for micromanage

Browse Nearby Words

micromachining
micromanage
micromanipulation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Micromanage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/micromanage. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on micromanage

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for micromanage

Nglish: Translation of micromanage for Spanish Speakers

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