Standard Lemma guide

micromanage

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: M AY2 K R OW0 M AE1 N IH0 JH Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To manage, direct, or control a person, group, or system to an unnecessary level of detail or precision.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Examples

  • The employees complained that their boss was micromanaging when she insisted that they account for their time in fifteen-minute intervals.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Back-formation from micromanagement, equivalent to micro- + manage.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 微操 (wēicāo) — Translations
  • Spanish: microgestionar — Translations
  • Spanish: microgerenciar — Translations