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

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 Per Instagram rules, this Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. — AJC.com, 13 July 2026 There are medications to administer, feedings to prepare, and animals to monitor. — Brian Unger, CBS News, 13 July 2026 Despite the campaign’s talk of schools and food assistance, fully 90% of the money goes to health care — the education and food assistance account splits the remaining 10%, which also has to cover the cost of administering the tax itself. — Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 13 July 2026 The California Department of Social Services, the agency that administers the CalFresh dollars, said in June that about 665,000 state residents are in jeopardy of losing their benefits due to new work requirements. — Lizzie Kane july 11, Sacbee.com, 11 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
  • 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
  • In a statement, Academic Senate Chair Ahmet Palazoglu confirmed a policy recommendation would be provided by June 2027.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • If approved, the state would have a constitutional mandate to provide free lunches and breakfasts for all K-12 public school students.
    — Kirk McClure, Fortune, 14 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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administer
administered
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Cite this Entry

“Administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/administer. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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