orchestrate

verb

or·​ches·​trate ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt How to pronounce orchestrate (audio)
orchestrated; orchestrating
Synonyms of orchestratenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to compose or arrange (music) for an orchestra
The composer orchestrated the music for the symphony orchestra.
b
: to provide with orchestration
orchestrate a ballet
2
: to arrange or combine so as to achieve a desired or maximum effect
orchestrated preparations for the banquet
a carefully orchestrated stunt
orchestrator
ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrā-tər How to pronounce orchestrate (audio)
noun
or less commonly orchestrater

Examples of orchestrate in a Sentence

He recently orchestrated a musical. She orchestrated the entire event. It's still unclear who was responsible for orchestrating the attack. A strike was orchestrated by union members.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
He is accused of orchestrating the plot to fly hijacked passenger jetliners into the World Trade Center in New York City and into the Pentagon. — Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Alvarez Ayala has also been accused of financing and orchestrating the November 2025 assassination of Uruapan Mayor Carlos Manzo, an outspoken critic of organized crime who was shot during Day of the Dead celebrations. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026 The growth of agentic AI and the rise of cyber hacks orchestrated by agents are forcing companies to invest in more tools to manage swarms of new identities. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 The effect of the wealth consolidation carefully, and secretly, orchestrated by the SEC and Big 10 has been not catastrophic to those not in these respective leagues, but at least cataclysmic. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for orchestrate

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of orchestrate was in 1858

Rhymes for orchestrate

See All Rhymes for orchestrate

Browse Nearby Words

orchestra pit
orchestrate
orchestration
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Orchestrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchestrate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

orchestrate

verb
or·​ches·​trate ˈȯr-kə-ˌstrāt How to pronounce orchestrate (audio)
orchestrated; orchestrating
1
: to write or arrange music for an orchestra
2
: to arrange or combine so as to get the best effect
orchestration
ˌȯr-kə-ˈstrā-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on orchestrate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for orchestrate

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