1
as in to distribute
to give out (something) to appropriate individuals
the principal administers discipline fairly when students break the rules
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to enforce
to carry out effectively
local officials should see that the fair housing laws are rigorously administered
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
At the time of the outlet's 2015 report, his mom was working as the manager of Gabbard's district office in Honolulu, while his stepdad was teaching social studies and administering the English language learner program at Kalakaua Middle School in the town.
—
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Plaza was one of a slew of guests administering the Colbert Questionert to the late-night host himself.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
Jackson was indicted on 10 criminal counts in 2003, including child molestation, administering an intoxicating agent (alcohol) to a minor, and conspiracy to commit child abduction and false imprisonment.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Officers found the teen suffering from a single gunshot wound in the parking lot and administered aid.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for administer
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Plaza was one of a slew of guests administering the Colbert Questionert to the late-night host himself.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026
Jackson was indicted on 10 criminal counts in 2003, including child molestation, administering an intoxicating agent (alcohol) to a minor, and conspiracy to commit child abduction and false imprisonment.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026
Officers found the teen suffering from a single gunshot wound in the parking lot and administered aid.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for administer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for administer
Verb
-
On the other side, a Quaker distributes tomahawks to Indigenous men from a barrel marked IP (Israel Pemberton).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
Newman also said the crisis is unevenly distributed, disproportionately impacting low-income families who can’t afford private tutoring.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Russia enforced an unpopular internet crackdown and a popular expression of discontent and dissent led by online influencers exploded, which refuses to die down.—
Anna Nemtsova,
Time,
23 May 2026
-
Neighbors are still bound by the strict every-third-day watering schedule Castle Rock already enforces.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The hive’s sturdy, portable design allowed nineteenth-century beekeepers to manage and transport colonies over long distances.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
-
How has your background prepared you to manage the fiscal health of the county’s school districts?—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
There are significant worries that AI can readily go off the rails or otherwise dispense unsuitable or even egregiously inappropriate mental health advice.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Otherwise, medical staff for the school can either write the student a prescription for an off-campus pharmacy or directly dispense the medications to the student.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Eco effort As part of the Accor group’s Planet 21 initiative, the hotel has eliminated single-use plastics, adopted energy-efficient lighting, implemented recycling programs, and introduced refillable toiletries.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
Mining disasters have been common although authorities had implemented measures to improve safety over the past years.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The defendant, 36, who has not been publicly identified, is accused of assaulting children while supervising them in bathrooms, during lunch breaks and in after-school care between August 2024 and April 2025.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
-
Leadership therefore shifts from supervising human effort to governing system behavior, including how decisions are made and how outcomes are evaluated.—
Michael Edmondson,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Plans are underway to provide wetsuits to the men and the rescue divers taught the group how to use the specialized equipment.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
The policies proposed by the candidates range from eliminating key environmental laws to providing free childcare and college tuition.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Asked about a half-baked, eleventh-hour Johnson administration idea for the city to take over the state agency that has overseen stadium financing in Illinois, Pritzker said no one from the mayor’s office had even contacted him about it.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
The most significant transformation came in 2021, when Spanish design firm Lázaro Rosa‑Violán oversaw a renovation that preserved the landmark’s architectural soul and gave it a cleaner, more contemporary edge, with warmer lighting and a refined arrival experience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/administer. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
