self-administer
verb
self-ad·min·is·ter
ˌself-əd-ˈmi-nə-stər 
self-administered; self-administering; self-administers
: to administer (something, such as a drug) to oneself
can self-administer the drug with an inhaler
allowed to self-administer the test
Those regulations … also state that only a school nurse can apply medications, but exemptions exist that allow students in some cases to self-administer according to district guidelines.—
Jennifer Bogdan
Jennifer Bogdan
Examples of self-administer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Another recent study found that self-administering psychedelics helped people treat obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms, even without facilitated therapy.
—Celia Ford, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2023
By self-administering intramuscular injections, bodybuilders can conveniently incorporate this therapy into their routine and experience a range of benefits.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2023
An assisted suicide—in which a doctor prescribes a lethal cocktail that the patient self-administers under circumstances of his own choosing—is still a suicide.
—Michel Houellebecq, Harper's Magazine, 6 Jan. 2023
In some countries, medical provision of TRT is lacking, causing many people to self-administer the products, which is never recommended.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023
Another migrant was already sitting on the tailgate of the truck, self-administering some type of shot to her left arm.
—Raul Roa, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2023
But some members of online alternative medicine groups have reported self-administering highly concentrated, veterinary-grade ivermectin to treat illnesses.
—CBS News, 2 May 2023
Currently, travelers to Hong Kong are required to undergo a rapid antigen test, which can be self-administered within 24 hours of their departure, or undergo a PCR test within 48 hours of their departure, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2023
The facility must also provide at least one of these services: community meals, light housework, meal preparation, transportation, grocery shopping, money management, laundry services or help with self-administering medication.
—Dallas News, 23 Feb. 2023
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Celia Ford, WIRED, 9 Oct. 2023
By self-administering intramuscular injections, bodybuilders can conveniently incorporate this therapy into their routine and experience a range of benefits.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2023
An assisted suicide—in which a doctor prescribes a lethal cocktail that the patient self-administers under circumstances of his own choosing—is still a suicide.
—Michel Houellebecq, Harper's Magazine, 6 Jan. 2023
In some countries, medical provision of TRT is lacking, causing many people to self-administer the products, which is never recommended.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023
Another migrant was already sitting on the tailgate of the truck, self-administering some type of shot to her left arm.
—Raul Roa, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2023
But some members of online alternative medicine groups have reported self-administering highly concentrated, veterinary-grade ivermectin to treat illnesses.
—CBS News, 2 May 2023
Currently, travelers to Hong Kong are required to undergo a rapid antigen test, which can be self-administered within 24 hours of their departure, or undergo a PCR test within 48 hours of their departure, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2023
The facility must also provide at least one of these services: community meals, light housework, meal preparation, transportation, grocery shopping, money management, laundry services or help with self-administering medication.
—Dallas News, 23 Feb. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-administer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1846, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near self-administer
Cite this Entry
“Self-administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-administer. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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Medical Definition
self-administer
transitive verb
self-ad·min·i·ster
-əd-ˈmi-nə-stər
: to administer (as a drug) to oneself
self-administered an analgesic
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