conduct 1 of 2

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

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conduct

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noun

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
Editor’s note: The interview was conducted before the tragic July 4 flooding in Texas, which prompted all major news networks to mobilize resources for breaking coverage. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025 An autopsy was then conducted, which determined her death was a homicide, police said. ABC News, 8 July 2025
Noun
But the First Amendment draws a sharp line between unlawful conduct and speech that merely causes offense. Tj Martinell, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2025 This time, the allegations are directed against the man who was often the public voice of the MDOC, insisting that the department did not tolerate such conduct. Paul Egan, Freep.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for conduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conduct
Verb
  • Dogs should be supervised when chewing on a bone, and larger breeds should get large ones to prevent swallowing; there are also plenty of chew toys that have a similar texture to bones, which could be a good alternative.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
  • But for now, corrections employees are supervising a rising number of prisoners.
    Mario Koran, jsonline.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Her husband was the cinematographer on that installment and five others directed by Arthur during that 1984-85 season.
    Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2025
  • The films are directed by Jon M. Chu and produced by Marc Platt and David Stone, who also produced the Broadway musical.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Because Ireland is an Anglophone country with large diasporas located in the United Kingdom and the United States, it is assumed that politics should behave a little bit like the two nations who pump so much influence back into it through the mass media produced in London, New York, and Hollywood.
    Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 11 July 2025
  • Now, another Russian satellite is behaving in the same way, with a mothership opening up to release a smaller object that could in turn reveal its own surprise inside like a Matryoshka nesting doll.
    Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • This level of confidence from Oakley is helping steer their vision of the future with the help of innovators like Meta AI, Axiom Space, and Travis Scott.
    Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • The more plausible option is development on the Gulf side, which could be steered westward along the northern Gulf Coast, the weather forecast company stated.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • These threads record and transmit neural signals to a computer, enabling users to perform tasks like moving a cursor or turning on a TV.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 July 2025
  • These represent a particular threat to above-ground transmission wires, transformers and utility poles, which transmit and distribute most electricity but are thus exposed and vulnerable to the elements.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Weidner Apartment Homes, a real estate and investment and property management company, appointed Lonna Torchia to the company’s executive leadership team.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 July 2025
  • The county has an emergency management plan which delineates exactly what to do in case of a flood.
    Michel Martin, NPR, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • As for longer-simmering, perhaps more structural market behaviors that should raise eyebrows?
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 July 2025
  • His studies included classes on forensic psychology, death investigation, and antisocial behavior, per NewsNation.
    EW.com, EW.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Both Trump and Biden oversaw the confirmation of hundreds of judges during their respective terms, reshaping the federal judiciary and altering the confirmation process.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2025
  • Senior editor Bess Pallares is overseeing the project on Oni’s end.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conduct. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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