administer

verb

(transitive) To manage or supervise the conduct, performance or execution of; to govern or regulate the parameters for the conduct, performance or execution of; to work in an administrative capacity.

(transitive, medicine) To give (a drug, to a patient), be it orally or by any other means.

(transitive) To apportion out, distribute.

To give, as an oath.

(intransitive) To minister (to).

(law) To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or whose will fails of an executor.

(transitive, medicine) To cause (a patient, human or animal) to ingest (a drug), either by openly offering or through deceit.

Roots

minus-minister · Latin · less

Synonyms for administer

administratev dispensev distributev allotv managev overseev supervisev governv superintendv allocatev enforcev assignv implementv apportionv disbursev

Synonyms & related words for administer

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of administer — including administrate, dispense, distribute, allot, manage, oversee. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to administer

Explore words related to administer — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include maladminister, administrant, adhibit, prescribe, administrator, administration, administratively, overseen. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for administer

Common synonyms for administer include administrate, dispense, distribute, allot, manage, oversee, supervise, govern — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does administer come from?

The word administer breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root -minister, from Latin minus (“less”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.