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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

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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 Atlanta was among the first cities in the Southeast to launch an e-bike rebate program two years ago, said the ARC’s program coordinator Ben Kamber, who helps administer the project. — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 19 Sep. 2026 The protocol is four to five shots and is nearly 100% effective at preventing the disease from developing — but only if administered before symptoms begin. — The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026 According to the transit department statement, though, that figure of $358,000 represented the initial annual amount of the management fee the county is paying the Underline group to administer the trail. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026 As in Monster, Lizzie blamed some of her story inconsistencies on the morphine she’d been administered as a sedative. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 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 2026 Signature Event, won by Viktor Hovland, generated more than $5 million that will be distributed to 290 charities, record-setting highs for both categories.
    — From Staff Reports, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026
  • If the settlement is approved, attorney fees, payments to chief litigants and other expenses will be distributed first.
    — Dan Avery, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of distribute
Verb
  • For too long, Washington failed to enforce our immigration laws, and the resulting chaos overwhelmed communities and strained resources nationwide.
    — Don Bacon, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
  • However, in that same video, Mamdani acknowledged that the city did not have the authority to enforce the warrant, instead calling on the federal government to act.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of enforce
Verb
  • Alvarez managed to nab a foul pop-up behind the plate for the first out, but a fly ball to center field scored another run, and Abrams managed to get to third.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Tehran has spent long weeks in discussions with Oman, on the other side of the strait, on how to manage shipping traffic.
    — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • In a world where kissing up and pissing down was, if not accepted, often tolerated as the price of doing business, Wayne dispensed grace in every direction.
    — Mike Hogan, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The robot can then use a calming cue and dispense a treat when appropriate.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of dispense
Verb
  • Mileage standards, known as Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, requirements, have been implemented since the 1970s energy crisis, and set out how far new vehicles need to travel on a gallon of gasoline.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Analysts widely expected Russia to implement some form of mobilization after the State Duma election earlier this month, a prospect that is unpopular within Russia.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of implement
Verb
  • The twist is that this room comes from someone else’s house, someone else’s taste, someone else’s desire to supervise what Ruby might become.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Under the agreement, Carpentersville is responsible for supervising detainees, medical care, medical transportation and other expenses but won’t be charged for using the East Dundee jail.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of supervise
Verb
  • For Circ, the agreement provides a commitment of future demand as the company works to build commercial-scale capacity.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Once their construction is complete, data centres also provide surprisingly few jobs.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of provide
Verb
  • In most mature organizations, that person would oversee a cryptographic center of excellence (CCOE).
    — Evgeny Gervis, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Judges overseeing the cases for Emporia, El Dorado and Ottawa’s bans have ruled that the petitions can go before voters in November.
    — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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