administer

verb

əd-ˈmi-nə-stər How to pronounce administer (audio)
Definition of administernext
1
as in to distribute
to give out (something) to appropriate individuals the principal administers discipline fairly when students break the rules

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to enforce
to carry out effectively local officials should see that the fair housing laws are rigorously administered

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to manage
to look after and make decisions about the lieutenant governor administers the affairs of the state in the absence of the governor

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of administer The California Air Resources Board will administer the MyFirstEV program. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2026 Feeding Our Future money was administered through the state Department of Education. — Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026 There also is no national election agency that administers the presidential contest, something that’s different from many other countries. — Ali Swenson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026 Election experts said the Constitution gives states the authority to administer elections, and the 1974 Privacy Act aims to prevent sharing personal information about voters the way the executive branch seeks. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for administer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for administer
  1. distribute
  2. enforce
  3. manage
  4. dispense
  5. implement
  6. supervise
  7. provide
  8. oversee
Verb
  • Siena College of Health was shut down in 2023 following an FBI investigation that found the nursing school was implicated in a scheme distributing more than 7,600 fake nursing diplomas.
    — Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • Under the regulation, app developers who distribute their product via Google Play should be able to inform customers of alternative, sometimes cheaper offers.
    — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 23 July 2026
Definition of distribute
Verb
  • The suit alleges those employees knew the warehouse constructed on the property in 2022 would be used for fireworks storage and operations but did not enforce applicable safety and environmental requirements.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
  • Warner says Neo handles three critical tasks which include inventorying every piece of agentic software installed; assessing how each is configured; and, enforcing policies on what each is permitted to do.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 24 July 2026
Definition of enforce
Verb
  • Maloney said one of his top priorities was ensuring taxpayer dollars are managed wisely.
    — Nathan Pilling July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • By constantly shifting and evolving his approach, the 68 year-old artist has managed the unlikely feat of remaining in the avant garde for nearly half a century.
    — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • Many of the voting members on the committee consult with or are employed by companies that could promote or dispense peptides.
    — Alana Semuels, Time, 23 July 2026
  • Again and again, Hartig’s GOP interlocutors seemed to be operating from a definition of a museum that sees its role as dispensing propaganda.
    — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Definition of dispense
Verb
  • The more interesting question is whether the breaks will be implemented at the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will be played in the Brazilian winter; and/or in club competitions around the world.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • During that time, House Speaker Mike Johnson is aiming to secure more defense funding, advance the president's election-integrity bill, implement a stock-trading ban for lawmakers and extend federal funding beyond the November election.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 20 July 2026
Definition of implement
Verb
  • The State Board of Education supervises public K–12 education across the state, overseeing educational interests in Kansas.
    — Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • Movie law conveniently parlays their lengthy sentence into a week’s work at the cheery, picturesque Burning Bush Camp, where supervising pastor Tom (Chris Klein) sportingly overlooks their dubious childcare creds and eccentric prayer style.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 25 July 2026
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • Neeru decided to go back to school at age 50 and earned another master’s degree, from Stanford Graduate School of Education, before launching CK-12 Foundation, a non-profit that provides free and customizable digital textbooks for children.
    — Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Along with affordable homes, Lupo said, the best cities for first-time buyers also provide lower crime rates, good schools and a lower overall cost of living.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of provide
Verb
  • The Young Parents Project will close July 31 after Citrus Health Network, the lead agency overseeing Miami-Dade’s child welfare system and a partner of the program for five years, eliminated its $577,453 contract to help address a budget deficit.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, who previously oversaw the prosecution against Hermes, declined to comment on the closed criminal case or Hermes’ campaign.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of oversee

Phrases Containing administer

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Cite this Entry

“Administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/administer. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of administer for Spanish Speakers

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