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
  • Highline Warren manufactures and distributes aftermarket products for automotive maintenance.
    — Carson Bonner, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
  • Beta is distributing internationally and Indigo Film is producing in collaboration with Rai Fiction.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 July 2026
Definition of distribute
Verb
  • Bonta’s office did not respond to a request for comment on whether DHS ownership of the facilities could limit the state’s ability to enforce its oversight laws, including AB 103.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
  • Turks and Caicos has strict firearms and ammunition laws that are strongly enforced at airports.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of enforce
Verb
  • For more advice on how to manage awkward conversations at family parties, click here.
    — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 18 July 2026
  • Joe McCarthy carried the ball strongly and Josh van der Flier went close before McCarthy managed to drive over the line.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • Over that period, affiliates dispensed about 25% fewer packs of birth control pills and conducted about 20% fewer breast cancer exams than the previous year.
    — Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Specialty drugs come from the wave of new biologic medicines and other prescriptions not dispensed in the traditional pharmacy like pills, capsules and tablets typically picked up at Walgreens or CVS Health drugstores.
    — Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 7 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
  • Coaches are expected to teach skills, manage parents, monitor safety, build culture, communicate constantly, supervise travel, run offseason activities and win.
    — Timothy Baghurst, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
  • Diego Amson, Brad Tiemann and Joe Awgul serve as co-exec producers, Margaret Morales is supervising producer and Benjamin Hurvitz and Melissa Tallerine exec produce for MTV.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 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 former youth pastor suspected of pushing his wife off a Utah cliff died by suicide in a very unusual way, said the sheriff who oversees Las Vegas’ jails.
    — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
  • In-house production and events take in overseeing concept, production, and on‑site management of film galas, premieres, special events and industry activations.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 16 July 2026
Definition of oversee

Phrases Containing administer

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admeasuring
administer
administered
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Cite this Entry

“Administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/administer. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of administer for Spanish Speakers

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