conduct 1 of 2

verb

kən-ˈdəkt How to pronounce conduct (audio)
Definition of conductnext
1
as in to supervise
to look after and make decisions about the company's president continues to conduct the everyday affairs of the software firm he founded many years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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
as in to behave
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way conducted themselves at the party like perfect ladies and gentlemen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to transmit
to cause (something) to pass from one to another a material that conducts heat quite efficiently

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

conduct

2 of 2

noun

ˈkän-(ˌ)dəkt How to pronounce conduct (audio)
1
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something the President was happy to leave the conduct of foreign affairs to his secretary of state

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in behavior
the way or manner in which one conducts oneself a child who has often been scolded for poor conduct

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 teams that conduct research on special education, help determine eligibility for IDEA funds and those who provide legal guidance to state and local leaders were also impacted. —Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025 The investigation will be conducted in Washington and Tampa, at U.S. Central Command headquarters, Stebbins wrote. —Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
Dublin’s sole mention of the keeper, however, comes in a quote from Henry Miles that suggests her role in managing the moral conduct of residents. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 2 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, Sarah Boese, a deputy administrator, has filed a separate complaint alleging unethical conduct and political retaliation for the board's refusal to consider her for the job and choosing Marasco as the interim, the Register reports. —Jason Clayworth, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conduct
  1. supervise
  2. direct
  3. behave
  4. steer
  5. transmit
  6. management
  7. behavior
  8. oversee
Verb
  • Nutley directed academic services at St. Xavier, and supervised a program aimed at helping teens who were struggling academically, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Shapiro supervises them all, on both scientific and ethical matters.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • Written and directed by Mike White, each season of the hit HBO series that streams on Max takes place in a different location of The White Lotus luxury global resort chain.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Image ‘The Martial Artist’ This sports drama directed by Shaz Khan follows Ibby (Khan), a mixed martial artist whose career is derailed when his brother is killed.
    — The New York Times, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of direct
Verb
  • New clues from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument collaboration, known as DESI, suggest dark energy may be behaving in unexpected ways and may even be weakening over time.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
  • When her little brother Tim begins behaving strangely, doctor-in-training Jamie Shandro calls on her medical school experience and her sisterly love to navigate his frightening diagnosis.
    — Ashley M. Wilcox, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of behave
Verb
  • In 1942, current Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D-CA) grandfather, William Newsom, steered Pat Brown’s campaign for district attorney.
    — Carson Becker, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The relocation will steer the festival toward a new era.
    — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of steer
Verb
  • According to a press statement from the department, 31-year-old Demetria Spence was taken into custody and charged with transmitting a false public alarm.
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The Atlanta Police Department said Demetria Spence, 31, was charged Tuesday with transmitting a false public alarm.
    — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of transmit
Noun
  • Sullivan joined Athlete Advantage, a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) sports management company, as CEO in 2024.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Though the fictional narrative of Olivia Pope relies on dramatic flair, in real life crisis management experts achieve similar results through careful planning, meticulous strategy, and quiet professionalism, all without attracting unnecessary attention.
    — Ethan Stone, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of management
Noun
  • From an evolutionary perspective, large groups living together in groups typically arose for the mutual benefit of all the members of the group, relying on behaviors such as working together to find food or detect predators (i.e.; ref).
    — GrrlScientist, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In your relationships Masochism can present itself in the form of self-sacrificing behavior, whether with co-workers, friendships or romantic partners.
    — Judith Joseph, Contributor, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of behavior
Verb
  • In addition, Tobey oversees Lionsgate’s AI initiatives designed to increase production, marketing and distribution efficiency and provide new tools for filmmakers, including its partnership with Runway.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Joan Jett and her company Blackheart have entered into a partnership with hit songwriter Evan Bogart’s Seeker Music to oversee the legendary rock artist’s catalog together, The Hollywood Reporter can report exclusively.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of oversee

Browse Nearby Words

conducive
conduct
conducted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Conduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conduct. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on conduct

Nglish: Translation of conduct for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about conduct

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