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
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Recent Examples of administer
To effect such a total defeat, Iran would have to be occupied and administered by the victors.
—
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
To test clusterin’s effects more directly, the researchers administered the protein to regular lab mice.
—Mallory Locklear, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Police body camera footage from the arrest shows officers administering field sobriety tests.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Similarly, recent grant terminations and restructuring within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which administers major behavioral health grants to states, have introduced uncertainty.
—Max Crowley, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for administer
Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
To test clusterin’s effects more directly, the researchers administered the protein to regular lab mice.
—Mallory Locklear, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Police body camera footage from the arrest shows officers administering field sobriety tests.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Similarly, recent grant terminations and restructuring within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which administers major behavioral health grants to states, have introduced uncertainty.
—Max Crowley, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for administer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for administer
Verb
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Some of the bikes are used in Metro’s Adopt A Bike Grant Program, which distributes them to those in need.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Burton notes that the foundation also distributes snack packs and other practical resources that address everyday needs students may encounter during the school day.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This year, Democrats have already unveiled a suite of bills that would give the state more say in authorizing vaccines, would grant it more authority to enforce workplace safety and would aim to better protect students with disabilities, among other legislation.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
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Chicago must also remove obstacles to effective policing, use technology such as the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, and update and enforce curfew regulations.—
Juan Rangel,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Panthers are managing a slew of injuries and are managing the workloads of several players down the stretch.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
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The former is focused on advancing noninvasive approaches to treating diabetes and managing metabolic health.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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First seen at a night-club table of menacing lowlifes, Ida, whose mother tongue is Brooklynese, suddenly switches to a heavy British accent and dispenses a torrent of highly literary sarcasms.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
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Often used by pilots, sailors, hikers and others to dispense emergency notifications from remote areas, the 406 beacons can be smaller, personal devices or larger units that are mounted to planes or boats and triggered automatically in crisis scenarios.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The policy, implemented last fall, prompted most Pentagon reporters to surrender their credentials rather than agree to restrictions.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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And in October, JPMorgan’s CFO said managers have been told to avoid hiring people as the bank implements AI.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Temporary monitoring, including fire watch coverage, may help show that building managers took steps to supervise the property while repairs were underway.—
Matthew Kayser,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
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All schools will be open, breakfast and lunch will be provided, and all students will be properly supervised.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As people come in, the money goes back into neighborhoods as police and firemen, snowplows and road crews — the infrastructure and services residents expect government to provide.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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Now, Beaudet and her colleagues have digitally rearranged the facial bones to their rightful places, providing a clearer look at Little Foot’s face — and hinting at features that may be shared across the human family tree.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Conflicting Iranian statements came from two of the three members of the leadership council overseeing Iran since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the war's opening airstrikes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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Board chair Ward recused himself in February from the candidate selection due to a potential conflict of interest — candidate Lesley Lavery is the co-chair of the dissertation committee overseeing Ward’s doctoral dissertation at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/administer. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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