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 There’s enough cash on hand for Rhaenyra to administer the Seven Kingdoms for a fortnight, and no one remaining from the old regime — not Alicent, not Orwyle — knows where Lannister hid the rest of the ingots. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026 The proposition would allow the California Housing Finance Agency to issue up to $25 billion in revenue bonds to administer the program. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 But the coverage is administered by commercial insurance companies, which compete fiercely with one another for the business of about 56 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in drug plans. — Susan Jaffe, NPR, 6 July 2026 Without bishops, De Piante said, the SSPX would eventually have no priests to celebrate Mass, hear confessions or administer the sacraments that members believe are central to their spiritual lives. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 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
  • The Huntington cultivates them on-site and has distributed many to botanic gardens and zoos across the country.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • The new round of Breakaway and Build OC donations follows an announcement, in September, that the Samueli family would use those then-new programs to distribute about $11 million to 138 local nonprofits.
    — Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
Definition of distribute
Verb
  • Europe is committed to enforcing its legislation that holds platforms accountable for addictive design features, said Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice president at the commission overseeing tech.
    — Kelvin Chan, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Europe is committed to enforcing its legislation that holds platforms accountable for addictive design features, said Henna Virkkunen, an executive vice-president at the commission overseeing tech.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of enforce
Verb
  • The situation is pressing, but Coleman still manages to make a connection.
    — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
  • The platform has consistently managed volume over $1 billion daily since the soccer tournament began on June 11.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 4 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
  • Eligible for a maximum of two four-year terms, the president implements policies within the framework set out by the supreme leader and spearheads Iran’s diplomacy.
    — Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • In March 1995, Sotomayor granted an injunction sought by the NLRB to implement the terms of an expired CBA.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of implement
Verb
  • While older children can use sparklers, they should be supervised, Heckman said.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Between there, and running upstairs to supervise fittings of his monumentally sculptural work with his stylist Tallulah Harlech, the designer caught a rare moment to sit and talk.
    — Sarah Mower, Vogue, 3 July 2026
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • Attendees can learn about current conditions, share their experiences traveling along Snelling and Montreal avenues, provide input for improvements and ask questions.
    — Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
  • Their angled footbeds provide comfortable arch support while maintaining a slim, classic silhouette.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 8 July 2026
Definition of provide
Verb
  • In these roles, Clancey oversaw a collection of more than 85,000 artifacts and led the conception and production of exhibitions spanning ancient history, the Civil Rights movement and contemporary art.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
  • Based in New York, Delahunt will oversee On’s direct-to-consumer channels, spanning both digital and retail, as well as the brand’s focus on customer loyalty.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 9 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 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of administer for Spanish Speakers

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