Synonyms of administer

administer 1 of 2

verb (1)

əd-ˈmi-nə-stər 

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

• distribute
• dispense
• provide
• allocate
• divide
• assign
• supply
• apportion
• portion
• furnish
• donate
• deal (out)
• prorate
• parcel (out)
• dole out
• hand out
• contribute
• share
• disburse
• allot
• split
• mete (out)
• redistribute
• disseminate
• appropriate
• measure (out)
• circulate
• allow
• spread
• bestow
• proportion
• ration
• share (out)
• lot
• issue
• disperse
• set
• part
• pledge
• dish out
• scatter
• reapportion
• admeasure
• reallocate
• divvy (up)
• chip in
• dollop (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• deny
• withhold
• reject
• disallow
• deprive (of)
• decline
• begrudge
• misallocate
• stint
• pinch
• skimp
• niggle (out)

2

as in to enforce

to carry out effectively

local officials should see that the fair housing laws are rigorously administered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enforce
• implement
• execute
• apply
• enact
• fulfill
• render
• invoke
• effectuate
• effect
• fulfil
• bring about
• prosecute
• cite
• honor
• legislate
• observe
• promulgate
• uphold
• discharge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• disregard
• neglect

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

• manage
• supervise
• oversee
• operate
• regulate
• handle
• conduct
• control
• govern
• run
• administrate
• keep
• direct
• tend
• guide
• protect
• carry on
• superintend
• preside (over)
• steward
• overlook
• watch over
• steer
• lead
• watch
• safeguard
• pilot
• care (for)
• guard
• mind
• micromanage
• stage-manage
• codirect
• comanage

administer (to)

2 of 2

verb (2)

as in to minister (to)

to attend to the needs and comforts of

volunteers administering to the terminally ill at a hospice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minister (to)
• nurse
• mother
• see to
• treat
• wait upon
• care (for)
• heal
• look after
• look out for
• take care of
• wait on
• do for
• look to
• support
• provide (for)
• cater (to)
• aid
• remedy
• preserve
• cure
• baby
• conserve
• spoil
• doctor
• pamper
• indulge
• mollycoddle
• humor
• coddle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forget
• ignore
• slight
• neglect
• brush (aside or off)
• overlook

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of administer

Verb

But on April 1 of this year, virtually all of these staff were placed on administrative leave without explaining who will administer the existing funds and whether future funding is threatened. —Elizabeth Letourneau, Baltimore Sun, 31 May 2025

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the Walk of Fame for the City of Los Angeles and has hosted these star ceremonies for decades. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 30 May 2025

Among the funding concerns cited in the memo: A $65 million shortfall in funding for the federal Section 8 rental voucher program that Miami-Dade administers using dollars from Washington. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025

Government lawyers say the administration is exercising its prerogative to administer the Immigration and Nationality Act. —Janie Har, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025

Phrases Containing administer

• administer (to)