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Definitions

run the show

VERB
administer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administrate carry out conduct direct execute govern oversee supervise
STRONG
boss control head render run superintend
WEAK
be in the driver's seat be in the saddle crack the whip head up hold the reins pull the strings pull the wires ride herd on sit on top of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
leave neglect obey
STRONG
follow
WEAK
deny forego frustrate mismanage refuse withhold
VERB
call the shots
Synonyms
WEAK
be in control be in the driver's seat be in the saddle call the tune lay down the law make the decisions make the rules wear the trousers
VERB
control
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administer command conduct deal with dominate govern handle lead manage manipulate oversee regulate rule run supervise
STRONG
administrate advise boss bully call direct discipline domineer guide head instruct overlook pilot predominate quarterback regiment steer subject subjugate superintend
WEAK
be in saddle call the signals head up hold purse strings hold sway over hold the reins push buttons reign over run things
Antonyms
STRONGEST
comply consent follow mismanage neglect obey serve submit surrender yield
STRONG
misguide mislead
WEAK
abandon chance forsake give up jump in let go relinquish renounce resign risk rush
VERB
direct
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advise conduct control guide handle keep lead operate run supervise
STRONG
administer boss dispose dominate govern influence ordain quarterback regulate rule shepherd superintend
WEAK
be in the driver's seat call the shots carry on control the affairs of have the say head up preside over run things take the reins
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon give up leave let go neglect obey serve
STRONG
follow mismanage submit surrender yield
WEAK
diverge misdirect misguide mislead
VERB
dominate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
command control dictate influence lead manage monopolize overshadow prevail run
STRONG
boss direct domineer eclipse handle head outshine overbear overrule predominate preponderate reign subject subjugate sway tyrannize
WEAK
call the shots detract from have one's way have upper hand hold sway over keep under thumb lay down the law lead by the nose play first fiddle prevail over rule the roost sit on top of superabound
Antonyms
STRONGEST
follow lose obey
STRONG
mismanage neglect submit
WEAK
be below go along surrender yield
VERB
domineer
Synonyms
STRONG
bend bluster browbeat bulldoze bully dominate hector intimidate menace overbear predominate preponderate prevail reign rule swagger threaten tyrannize
WEAK
be in the saddle boss around call the shots henpeck in the driver's seat keep under thumb kick around lead by the nose push the buttons rule the roost run things throw weight around
Antonyms
STRONG
assist help leave alone serve submit surrender
WEAK
follow yield
VERB
manage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administer conduct dominate govern guide handle maintain operate oversee regulate run supervise take care of take over train use
STRONG
advocate boss captain command concert counsel designate direct disburse engineer execute head influence instruct manipulate minister officiate pilot ply preside request rule steer superintend watch wield
WEAK
call the shots call upon care for carry on engage in hold down take the helm watch over
Antonyms
STRONGEST
follow forget leave mismanage neglect obey serve surrender yield
STRONG
hurt ignore oppose
WEAK
bumble fail
VERB
operate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administer conduct drive handle keep play run work
STRONG
command maneuver manipulate ordain pilot ply steer wield
WEAK
be in charge be in driver's seat be in saddle call the play call the shots call the signals carry on hold the reins make go pull the strings pull the wires run things sit on top of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
halt mismanage neglect stop
STRONG
leave alone
VERB
order about
Synonyms
WEAK
boss bully call the shots command control dictate direct influence keep under one's thumb manage master
VERB
oversee
Synonyms
STRONGEST
command manage supervise survey watch
STRONG
baby-sit boss captain chaperon eye herd inspect overlook quarterback shepherd skipper superintend
WEAK
be in driver's seat call the shots keep an eye on look after ride herd on sit on top of
Antonyms
STRONG
follow ignore neglect
WEAK
obey
VERB
preponderate
Synonyms
STRONG
boss command control dictate direct domineer eclipse handle head influence lead manage monopolize outshine overbear overrule overshadow predominate prevail reign rule run subject subjugate sway tyrannize
WEAK
call the shots detract from have one's way have upper hand hold sway over keep under thumb lay down the law lead by the nose play first fiddle prevail over reign supreme rule the roost sit on top of superabound
Antonyms
STRONG
fall behind follow lose mismanage neglect obey serve submit surrender
VERB
preside
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administer chair govern officiate ordain oversee supervise
STRONG
advise conduct control direct handle head keep lead manage operate run
WEAK
be at the head of be in driver's seat call the signals carry on do the honors head up pull the strings sit on top of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
follow obey
STRONG
abandon give up let go mismanage neglect
WEAK
serve
VERB
reign
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dominate govern hold sway occupy predominate
STRONG
administer boss command domineer helm influence manage obtain overrule preponderate rule sit
WEAK
be in power be in the driver's seat be supreme head up hold power rule the roost run things superabound wear the crown
Antonyms
STRONGEST
surrender yield
STRONG
follow mismanage submit
WEAK
serve
VERB
rule
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conduct control dominate lead order overrule prevail run take over
STRONG
administer bridle command curb decree dictate direct domineer guide predominate preponderate preside regulate reign restrain sway
WEAK
be in authority be in driver's seat be in power crack the whip hold sway hold the reins keep under one's thumb lay down the law rule the roost sit on top of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
follow lose obey surrender
STRONG
misguide mislead mismanage neglect release serve submit
WEAK
plead
VERB
supervise
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administer conduct deal with direct handle inspect look after oversee take care of
STRONG
boss chaperon control overlook quarterback run superintend survey
WEAK
be in charge be in driver's seat be in the saddle be on duty be responsible for call the play call the shots crack the whip keep an eye on preside over ride herd on run things sit on top of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
mismanage neglect
STRONG
follow serve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A handful of powerful agencies run the show, which means they have to bet on an aspiring star for them to succeed in Korea.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

One way to maintain its hold on a glorious past is for the musicians to run the show.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2025

"So this is the worry, you need the correct creative people to run the show."

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2025

Powerful institutional investors like mutual funds and index funds typically run the show.

From New York Times • Mar. 30, 2024

But the enzymes do not run the show.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan