Definition of conductnext
1
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

5

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
The rule was the culmination of a sweeping inventory of land conducted by the Forest Service in which the agency had marked certain forests as prime acreage for wilderness protection. — Kirk Siegler, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026 According to the 2026 Michaels State of the Holiday Season Report, conducted by Morning Consult, nearly two-thirds of people want a less commercial holiday season, while 66 percent say hands-on activities make the season more meaningful. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
Van Meter spent time in Kardashian’s homes, accompanied her to photo shoots, watched her conduct business and interviewed dozens of people from across her life. — Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 But the starting assumption of these debates is that responsible business conduct legislation is inherently costly, and that weakening EU legislation and prohibiting more ambitious member state laws will reduce those costs. — Ben Vanpeperstraete, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conduct
Verb
  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by a supervising companion who is at least 14 years old.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The California Department of State Hospitals contracts with Liberty Healthcare to supervise people convicted of specific crimes and who also struggle with significant mental health conditions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Instead, each will direct its own grants while coordinating with the others.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Vijesh Rajan and Yashoda Parthasarthy wrote and directed the short, their first film.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The findings could help scientists understand the limits of Einstein’s theory of general relativity and investigate whether black holes can behave in ways that challenge our current understanding of the universe.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • In quantum physics, particles behave differently than us mortals.
    — Shayla Love, Vox, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Admirers viewed him as a capable leader who could steer the nation through global uncertainties, the image carefully crafted by the mainstream media.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Ne-Yo endeared himself to a legion of women bruised by the very men who’d eventually steer R&B into an era of lawlessness.
    — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • It can be transmitted from one animal to another and indirectly through the environment.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • When you are called ‘L’Artisan Parfumeur,’ your duty is to transmit this notion of artisanal and perfumery.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In doing so, the emirate has built resilience through diversified desalination, energy demand management, and long-term infrastructure planning.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Its eventual deployment could help the university explore how emerging aircraft fit into policing, emergency management, and engineering education.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The agents seized records and electronic devices, looking for evidence of unspecified criminal behavior.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Small shifts in daily behavior have a multiplicative impact on culture and employee motivation and, as a result, on value creation.
    — Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Earlier discussions included allowing the Atlanta Department of Corrections to retain one floor and administrative space to oversee municipal detainees.
    — CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Its platform helps teams oversee the work required to advance a potential medicine, giving program leaders a clearer picture of progress across a drug’s development.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conduct. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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