administer

9 synonyms and 1 antonym for administer, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To manage, oversee, or run something, such as an organization, program, or set of rules.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

run deal lot

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

oversee execute distribute

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

dispense administrate allot

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To manage, oversee, or run something, such as an organization, program, or set of rules.

“She administers the company's health insurance program.”

oversee run dispense execute administrate deal lot allot distribute

2. verb

To give someone a drug, treatment, or dose.

“The nurse administered the vaccine with practiced ease.”

Opposites

withhold

How to use administer

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

administer a test administer medication administer justice

Etymology

From Latin administrare, "to manage, to serve," from ad- ("to") plus ministrare ("to attend, to serve") — the same root as "minister."

Full origin of administer →

Frequently asked questions

What does “administer” mean?

The word “administer” means to manage, oversee, or run something, such as an organization, program, or set of rules. In plain terms, to manage or oversee something, or to give someone medicine or treatment.

How do you pronounce “administer”?

“Administer” is pronounced uhd-MIHN-ih-stuh (/ədˈmɪn.ɪ.stɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “administer” in a sentence?

Here is “administer” used in a sentence: “She administers the company's health insurance program.”

What part of speech is “administer”?

“Administer” is a verb.

Where does the word “administer” come from?

The word “administer” comes from Latin. From Latin administrare, "to manage, to serve," from ad- ("to") plus ministrare ("to attend, to serve") — the same root as "minister.".

Is “administer” a common word?

“Administer” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “administer” have?

“Administer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to manage, oversee, or run something, such as an organization, program, or set of rules.

What is the difference between "administer" and "manage"?

Both describe overseeing something, but "administer" often carries a more formal, official tone, especially for organizations, programs, or sets of rules, while "manage" is more general and can apply to everyday oversight of tasks or people.

What is the difference between "administer" and "administrate"?

The two words mean essentially the same thing, but "administer" is far more common in everyday and professional English, while "administrate" is a rarer, more formal-sounding variant.

Can "administer" be used for giving medicine as well as running an organization?

Yes, "administer" has two distinct senses: one meaning to manage, oversee, or run something such as an organization or program, and another meaning to give someone a drug, treatment, or dose.

People also searched

lot run deal execute distribute oversee withhold dispense allot

Nearby words

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