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

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

It was both the first time they’d run the show on a stage and the last time they would practice before the sold-out Beautiful Chaos tour.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

“Over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it,” Owens wrote in a message obtained by the Times.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

Sullivan, who coached Pittsburgh to the Cup, will run the show.

From Seattle Times • May 18, 2024

The tools in NHS wanted her to run the show, but you weren’t allowed to be the leader of more than two things, and she was already tennis captain and junior class president.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

run the show

Example Sentences

Related Words