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
  • Tracy, who managed several of the current Red Sox players in Triple A earlier this season, isn’t surprised by their success.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • According to a source, Oman has drafted a proposal to manage traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key sticking point in the conflict.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 12 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
  • Saunders was the founder of the nonprofit Baltimore Academy of Sports and Entertainment, which was implemented into the Baltimore City Public School System in 2020.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Blanche backed down and said the Justice Department would not implement the fund.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Definition of implement
Verb
  • Adults should closely supervise children around water and avoid distractions such as reading, using a phone, or other activities that take attention away from swimmers, the agency states on its website.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • Illinois resident Mwite Emily Kasanga, who went by Emily, died at 34 after allegedly choking on food when her care team failed to supervise her eating despite known risks, according to a July 6 complaint obtained by PEOPLE.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 9 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 15 Jul. 2026.

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