administer

administer

verb

Definition of ADMINISTER

1

to give out (something) to appropriate individuals <the principal administers discipline fairly when students break the rules>

Synonyms allocate, apportion, deal (out), dispense, distribute, dole out, hand out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate

Related Words admeasure, allot, allow, appropriate, assign, dish out, divide, divvy (up), dollop (out), lot, measure (out), part, proportion, ration, redistribute, set, share (out), split; bestow, disburse, furnish, issue, provide, share, supply; circulate, disperse, disseminate, scatter, spread; chip in, contribute, donate, pledge; reallocate, reapportion

Near Antonyms begrudge, decline, deny, deprive (of), disallow, refuse, reject, withhold; niggle (out), pinch, skimp, stint

Antonyms misallocate

2

to carry out effectively <local officials should see that the fair housing laws are rigorously administered>

Synonyms administer, apply, execute, implement

Related Words bring about, effect, effectuate; discharge, fulfill (or fulfil), render; cite, invoke; enact, legislate; honor, observe, uphold; prosecute; promulgate

Near Antonyms disregard, ignore, neglect

3

to look after and make decisions about <the lieutenant governor administers the affairs of the state in the absence of the governor>

Synonyms administer, administrate, carry on, control, direct, govern, guide, handle, keep, manage, operate, overlook, oversee, preside (over), regulate, run, steward, superintend, supervise, tend

Related Words care (for), mind, watch; lead, pilot, steer; guard, protect, safeguard; micromanage, stage-manage; codirect, comanage