Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb administer

5 senses of administer

Sense 1
administer, administrate -- (work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of; "administer a program"; "she administers the funds")
       => manage, deal, care, handle -- (be in charge of, act on, or dispose of; "I can deal with this crew of workers"; "This blender can't handle nuts"; "She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old")

Sense 2
administer -- (perform (a church sacrament) ritually; "administer the last unction")
       => give, apply -- (give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose")

Sense 3
distribute, administer, mete out, deal, parcel out, lot, dispense, shell out, deal out, dish out, allot, dole out -- (administer or bestow, as in small portions; "administer critical remarks to everyone present"; "dole out some money"; "shell out pocket money for the children"; "deal a blow to someone"; "the machine dispenses soft drinks")
       => give -- (transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody; "I gave her my money"; "can you give me lessons?"; "She gave the children lots of love and tender loving care")

Sense 4
administer, dispense -- (give or apply (medications))
       => treat, care for -- (provide treatment for; "The doctor treated my broken leg"; "The nurses cared for the bomb victims"; "The patient must be treated right away or she will die"; "Treat the infection with antibiotics")

Sense 5
administer -- (direct the taking of; "administer an exam"; "administer an oath")
       => direct -- (be in charge of)