Administer-Administrate | Commonly Confused Words
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Administer vs. Administrate

Administer

/ədˈmɪnəstə/
To manage or oversee the operation of a task, service, or organization

Examples:

Accordingly he administered an injection-not of a narcotic, but of strychnine."The teacher had to administer the exam under strict conditions.She was responsible for administering the estate after his passing.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Administrate

/ədˈmɪnəstreɪt/
To manage or oversee the execution of tasks or responsibilities in an organization or system.

Examples:

They administrate the entire network system.A team was hired to administrate the project tasks.He was chosen to administrate the monthly budget.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Administer is often used in contexts where something is being dispensed, applied, or managed momentarily.
  • Administrate is typically used when referring to the overall management of an organization or system.
  • Remember that administer often involves action on objects or procedures, while administrate involves overseeing operations or systems.
  • Administer is more commonly used in medical or legal contexts, like administering medicine or justice.
  • Administrate might not be used as frequently, but it deals with governance or systematic oversight.
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