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

Payments are administered on a monthly basis and paid in one lump sum for most recipients. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025

Porter County Sheriff Jeffrey Balon said in a statement that administering Narcan is important to avoid an overdose and helps save lives. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025

Doctors and health officials also warned that vitamin A can cause toxicity if administered in excess at home. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

Programs run under contract are also in the crosshairs, including one that administers vaccines in shelters, clinics and to homebound individuals, and a rapid-response team that tests for infections as quickly as possible to help prevent the spread of infectious disease. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing administer

• administer (to)