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Dictionary.com

run things

VERB
conduct
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attend control direct handle keep manage operate order organize oversee regulate run supervise
STRONG
accompany chair chaperon convey engineer escort govern guide head lead ordain pilot rule shepherd steer usher
WEAK
call the tune carry on preside over ride herd on trailblaze wield baton
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon disorder disorganize disregard give up ignore let go mismanage neglect obey serve
STRONG
comply consent desert follow leave lose
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 the show
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 the show 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
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 the show throw weight around
Antonyms
STRONG
assist help leave alone serve submit surrender
WEAK
follow yield
VERB
handle
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administer conduct control deal with discuss employ exercise govern operate play serve supervise take treat use utilize work
STRONG
advise apply bestow command direct dispense dominate exploit guide maneuver manipulate ply steer swing wield
WEAK
behave toward call the signals cope with cut the mustard get a handle on hack it make out make the grade
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore neglect
STRONG
leave alone misguide mislead
WEAK
disregard mismanage misuse
VERB
lead
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affect conduce encourage excite galvanize guide hearten incline induce influence inspire instill introduce motivate move persuade prevail prompt spark spur
STRONG
boss call the shots command coordinate direct govern head helm manage preside over spearhead supervise trail-blaze
WEAK
cause oversee quarterback serve shepherd tend
Antonyms
STRONG
discourage dissuade hinder mismanage neglect prevent
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 the show sit on top of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
halt mismanage neglect stop
STRONG
leave alone
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 the show superabound wear the crown
Antonyms
STRONGEST
surrender yield
STRONG
follow mismanage submit
WEAK
serve
VERB
spearhead
Synonyms
STRONGEST
initiate launch prompt spur
STRONG
bring cause direct guide head helm influence introduce motivate move originate persuade pioneer produce quarterback shepherd
WEAK
bring on get the jump on go out in front trail-blaze
Antonyms
STRONGEST
end finish stop
STRONG
discourage dissuade leave misguide mislead neglect result
VERB
steer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
drive escort govern herd shepherd
STRONG
beacon captain conduct control helm lead pilot point route run see show skipper
WEAK
be in the driver's seat head for take over take the helm take the reins
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 the show 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.

See Examples For:

Her appointment, which she said follows a two-year transition during which then-CEO James Foster let her basically run things, comes as the company appears on an upswing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Just let him run things for a few years.

From Slate ● Jun. 18, 2026

“You have errands to run, things to do.”

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 27, 2026

He said many people told the party after they came into power that they "did not know how to run things" and had no history in local government.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2025

And that’s exactly how Mrs. Chiltington and her League of Concerned Library Lovers would run things when they became the board of trustees in charge of what used to be the Lemoncello Library.

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

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