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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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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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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as in to minister (to)
to attend to the needs and comforts of
volunteers administering to the terminally ill at a hospice
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of administer
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
This year, the city is pledging another $50,000 and also will administer the spending of the state grant.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
In addition to immunization requirements, schools also use their own resources to acquire and administer immunizations to students.
—Lillian Metzmeier, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025
In about half a dozen large states where county governments administer federal safety net programs, the costs of training caseworkers on the new verification protocols could trickle from states to counties.
—ProPublica, 26 June 2025
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Verb
More videos have since been uploaded showing Sadie administering medication and the cat becoming a little bit more comfortable in their home.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
This year, the city is pledging another $50,000 and also will administer the spending of the state grant.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
In addition to immunization requirements, schools also use their own resources to acquire and administer immunizations to students.
—Lillian Metzmeier, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025
In about half a dozen large states where county governments administer federal safety net programs, the costs of training caseworkers on the new verification protocols could trickle from states to counties.
—ProPublica, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for administer
Cite this Entry
“Administer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/administer. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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