The courts administer the law.
Source: tatoeba (244234)
Administer
/ədˈmɪn.ɪ.stə/
Synonyms for "administer" (339 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (68)
Verb(14 words)
Noun(14 words)
administratingagency administeredapplication processing capacitycity administration styleconduct of a ceremonyconduct of a meetingconduct of a trialconduct policyconduct relatedcontrol networkscouncil ledcustomer management functiondietdisbursing
Adjective(3 words)
civil order lawscivil progress policydirect meaning
Strong matches (102)
Verb(19 words)
Noun(44 words)
dishesdishingdispensingdispensing tooldispensing unitdistrict conduct proceduredolesdosesdosingdripdripsdrugdrugsecological monitoring termelementary grade regulationemiratesenforcingescrowsfinancesforces reading
Show 24 more words
french forcefrench study programfunding programgacruxgallery workgovern closelygovernance basedgovernance centeredgoverned areagovernigoverning bodiesgoverning rulesgovernment rungovernment run hospitalgovernment run schoolgovernment supervisedgovernmentally administeredgovernmentally administered curriculagovernmentally regulatedgovernmentally regulated industrygroup work programhandling chargehearing procedurehouseholding
Adjective(2 words)
foreign water managementgoverning system
Related words (169)
Verb(42 words)
inflictsinfuseinjectinjectedinstilinstillinterveneinterveneslotmanagemanage forestsmanage resourcesmanagedmanagesmedicatemedicatesmete outministeredofficiatedofficiates
Show 22 more words
Noun(57 words)
injectinginpatient care deliveryinstillingkashaglawfully regulatedlordmanage task capacitymanagement functionsmanagingmedicatingmenagesministeringmore governingnentsinutrition servicesoverlook deckoverlookspaper-based testpatient quarantinephysicking
Show 37 more words
pillingpilot educational innovationplastic watering can handlepolitical transition processpractice testpresidingprocess systemproctoringproctorspublicly administeredquality controlquizquizzingranchesranchingreeveregimentingreigningreigns of terrorrulesrulingruling bodyruling body decisionsruling partiesseed bank governancesound administrationstate dominatedstewardstewardingstewardssuperintendingsupervisingsyringetable manners trainingtransfusingvictuallingwaste handling system
issuejudgelavishlay onleadlet havemakemake outmanagemeasure outmetemete outmete out toobserveoccupy the chairofferofficerofficiateoverseeparcel out
Show 43 more words
passpass aroundpay outpoliceportionportion outpourprescribeprescribe forpresentpresidepreside overprofferpromulgateprosecuteput in forceput onput throughput uponrainrationregulaterenderrunserveshare outshell outshowersit in judgmentslipsnowspoonspoon outstand overstrikesuperintendsupervisesupplytendertransactvouchsafewield authorityyield
Determiner(4 words)
more flyball governingmore operatingmost governingthe governed
Adjective(3 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: dispense, abide by, accord, adhere to, administer justice.
- Sentence evidence is available for administer, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "administer".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "administer"
Keep "administer" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "administer" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "administer", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "administer" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
16 entriesMore specific
11 entriesadminister injectioncarry out programcoordinate programsdeliver dosagedirect resourcesdose medicineenforce ruleimplement policyoversee operationsprovide medicationsupervise staff
Collocations
6 entriesadminister a programadminister a questionnaireadminister a surveyadminister a testadminister medicationadminister vaccines
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesSample sentences
19 total sentences available.
The syringe is the instrument most commonly used to administer insulin.
Source: tatoeba (2888807)
Tom will administer the oath.
Source: tatoeba (5736346)
The novel Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke has intrigued me for a long time. Sinister ships from outer space appear over the cities of Earth. Soon, the outworlders administer human affairs. They help humankind to its next level.
Source: tatoeba (10515818)
Showing 4 of 19 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "administer"?
Closest matches include dispense, abide by, accord, adhere to, administer justice.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "administer"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.