The word conducting is widely used in business, academic, professional, scientific, and everyday communication.
Depending on the context, conducting can mean carrying out an activity, managing a process, directing people, leading an event, performing research, operating a procedure, or facilitating a discussion.
Because it has multiple meanings, the best synonym for conducting may be performing, carrying out, executing, managing, directing, leading, administering, facilitating, overseeing, or undertaking.
Quick Answer: What Is a Synonym for Conducting?
| Context | Best Synonyms for Conducting |
| Conducting research | performing, carrying out, undertaking |
| Conducting a meeting | leading, facilitating, chairing |
| Conducting an investigation | carrying out, performing, executing |
| Conducting business | operating, managing, running |
| Conducting an orchestra | directing, leading |
| Conducting a survey | administering, carrying out |
What Does “Conducting” Mean?
Conducting generally means:
Carrying out, managing, directing, organizing, or leading an activity, process, event, or operation.
Examples
- The team is conducting research.
- She is conducting interviews.
- The manager is conducting a meeting.
- Scientists are conducting experiments.
- The conductor is conducting the orchestra.
The exact synonym depends on what is being conducted.
Why Learning Synonyms for Conducting Matters
Many writers overuse conducting in reports, research papers, and business documents.
Instead of:
The company is conducting an analysis and conducting customer surveys.
You could write:
The company is performing an analysis and administering customer surveys.
Benefits include:
- More engaging writing
- Better professional communication
- Stronger academic papers
- Improved vocabulary variety
- Greater precision
The Conducting Context Selection Framework
Ask:
What activity is being conducted?
| Activity Type | Recommended Synonyms |
| Research | performing, undertaking |
| Meetings | leading, facilitating |
| Investigations | carrying out, executing |
| Operations | managing, operating |
| Music | directing |
| Training | delivering, facilitating |
Synonym Hierarchy for Conducting
General Alternatives
- performing
- carrying out
- executing
- undertaking
Professional Alternatives
- managing
- administering
- facilitating
- overseeing
Leadership Alternatives
- leading
- directing
- guiding
Formal Alternatives
- implementing
- administering
- undertaking
Everyday Conversation Synonyms for Conducting
1. Doing
Definition: Performing an action.
Tone: Informal
Example:
We are doing a quick review.
Usage Note
Suitable for casual speech but often too informal for professional writing.
2. Carrying Out
Definition: Completing or performing a task.
Tone: Neutral
Example:
The team is carrying out inspections.
Common Collocations
- carrying out research
- carrying out tests
- carrying out duties
3. Performing
Definition: Executing an action or task.
Example:
Technicians are performing maintenance.
Professional and Business Synonyms for Conducting
4. Managing
Definition: Controlling or overseeing operations.
Formality: Professional
Example:
She is managing the project effectively.
Best Contexts
- Operations
- Projects
- Teams
5. Facilitating
Definition: Helping a process proceed smoothly.
Example:
He is facilitating a workshop.
Common Collocations
- facilitating discussions
- facilitating training
- facilitating meetings
6. Overseeing
Definition: Supervising an activity.
Example:
The director is overseeing implementation.
7. Administering
Definition: Managing or organizing officially.
Example:
The organization is administering the assessment.
Academic Writing Synonyms for Conducting
8. Undertaking
Definition: Beginning and carrying out a task.
Example:
Researchers are undertaking a longitudinal study.
Academic Uses
- Research papers
- Scientific studies
- Formal reports
9. Executing
Definition: Performing according to a plan.
Example:
The team executed the methodology successfully.
10. Implementing
Definition: Putting a plan into action.
Example:
The organization is implementing new procedures.
Research and Investigation Synonyms
11. Performing
Definition: Carrying out research or tests.
Example:
Scientists are performing laboratory experiments.
12. Carrying Out
Definition: Executing investigations or assessments.
Example:
Officials are carrying out inspections.
13. Pursuing
Definition: Actively engaging in an inquiry.
Example:
Detectives are pursuing several leads.
Leadership and Communication Synonyms
14. Leading
Definition: Guiding people or activities.
Example:
She is leading the meeting.
Common Collocations
- leading a discussion
- leading a team
- leading negotiations
15. Chairing
Definition: Presiding over a meeting.
Example:
He is chairing the committee meeting.
16. Directing
Definition: Guiding activities or performance.
Example:
She is directing the orchestra.
Conducting vs Performing
These words are closely related.
| Conducting | Performing |
| Broad term | Focuses on execution |
| Management or execution | Primarily execution |
| Common in formal writing | Common in technical writing |
Examples
Conducting:
The researchers are conducting a study.
Performing:
The researchers are performing experiments.
Conducting vs Managing
| Conducting | Managing |
| Carrying out an activity | Supervising operations |
| Often temporary | Often ongoing |
Examples
Conducting:
Conducting interviews.
Managing:
Managing a department.
Conducting vs Leading
| Conducting | Leading |
| May involve execution | Focuses on guidance |
| Activity-centered | People-centered |
Examples
Conducting:
Conducting a workshop.
Leading:
Leading a workshop team.
Common Collocations with Conducting
Research
- conducting research
- conducting studies
- conducting experiments
- conducting analysis
Business
- conducting business
- conducting audits
- conducting evaluations
- conducting reviews
Meetings
- conducting meetings
- conducting interviews
- conducting discussions
- conducting negotiations
Education
- conducting assessments
- conducting training
- conducting workshops
- conducting examinations
Antonyms of Conducting
Depending on context:
- abandoning
- neglecting
- halting
- discontinuing
- suspending
- ceasing
Examples
Conducting research. ↔ Suspending research.
Conducting operations. ↔ Halting operations.
Common Mistakes When Using Conducting Synonyms
Mistake 1: Using Managing for Research
Less Natural:
The scientists are managing experiments.
Better:
The scientists are conducting experiments.
Or:
The scientists are performing experiments.
Mistake 2: Using Leading for Technical Procedures
Less Precise:
The technician is leading diagnostics.
Better:
The technician is conducting diagnostics.
Mistake 3: Using Executing for Meetings
Awkward:
She executed the meeting.
Better:
She conducted the meeting.
Or:
She led the meeting.
Vocabulary Ladder: Alternatives by Formality
| Level | Synonyms |
| Informal | doing |
| Neutral | carrying out, performing |
| Professional | facilitating, managing |
| Formal | administering, undertaking |
| Advanced | implementing, overseeing, directing |
Expert Writing Tips
For Business Writing
Use:
- managing
- facilitating
- overseeing
- administering
For Academic Writing
Use:
- undertaking
- performing
- implementing
- executing
For Research Papers
Use:
- conducting
- performing
- carrying out
- undertaking
For Leadership Content
Use:
- leading
- directing
- facilitating
- guiding
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best synonym for conducting?
The best synonym depends on context. Common alternatives include performing, carrying out, managing, facilitating, leading, and undertaking.
Is performing a synonym for conducting?
Yes. Performing is often the best replacement when referring to research, tests, experiments, or technical procedures.
What is a professional synonym for conducting?
Professional alternatives include facilitating, managing, administering, overseeing, and implementing.
What synonym should I use for conducting research?
The most natural alternatives are performing research, carrying out research, and undertaking research.
What is a formal synonym for conducting?
Formal choices include undertaking, administering, implementing, overseeing, and executing.
Final Takeaway
The word conducting refers to carrying out, managing, directing, or overseeing an activity.
Use performing and carrying out for research and technical tasks, leading and facilitating for meetings and discussions, managing and overseeing for operations, and undertaking or implementing for formal and academic contexts.
Choosing the right synonym helps make your writing more precise, professional, and engaging.
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