DISTRIBUTE Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'distribute' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distribute are deal , dispense , divide , and dole out . While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts. // distributed food to the needy

Q: When can 'deal' be used instead of 'distribute'?

While the synonyms deal and distribute are close in meaning, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece. // deal out equipment and supplies

Q: In what contexts can 'dispense' take the place of 'distribute'?

The synonyms dispense and distribute are sometimes interchangeable, but dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need. // dispensed wisdom to the students

Q: When is 'divide' a more appropriate choice than 'distribute'?

In some situations, the words divide and distribute are roughly equivalent. However, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal. // three charitable groups divided the proceeds

Q: When could 'dole out' be used to replace 'distribute'?

While in some cases nearly identical to distribute , dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply. // doled out what little food there was

distribute

verb

di-ˈstri-byüt

Definition of distribute

as in to classify

to arrange or assign according to type distribute the assignments according to seniority

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to allot

to give as a share or portion committed to distributing the school's limited scholarship money so that it benefits more students

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dispense

to give out (something) to appropriate individuals distributed pamphlets on recycling to everyone in the neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb distribute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distribute are deal, dispense, divide, and dole out. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When can deal be used instead of distribute?

While the synonyms deal and distribute are close in meaning, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

In what contexts can dispense take the place of distribute?

The synonyms dispense and distribute are sometimes interchangeable, but dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.

dispensed wisdom to the students

When is divide a more appropriate choice than distribute?

In some situations, the words divide and distribute are roughly equivalent. However, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When could dole out be used to replace distribute?

While in some cases nearly identical to distribute, dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of distribute PlusM is distributing the film in Korea, with Neon handling North American distribution. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 July 2026 Authorities say electrical service in La Guaira has recovered to roughly 90%, while more than 5 million liters of water have been distributed across affected areas. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026 In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with the Kursk region governor in Moscow. — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 More than 30,000 complimentary Dasani water bottles will be distributed to fans entering through the First Base, Third Base and Left Field gates, courtesy of Liberty Coke Bottlers. — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for distribute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distribute

Verb

The Education Department initially classified only 11 fields as professional, leaving out areas including nursing, physical therapy and education.

— Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Devine told me that e-bike and moped marketing is confusing and regulations keeping e-bikes safely classified are cloudy.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of classify

Verb

The foundation dispenses $350,000 to $500,000 a year, according to the family's attorney, Stephanie Johnson O’Day.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2026
Prosecutors say Hammond, who was a pharmacist at Central Pharmacy in Lansing from 2020 to 2024, dispensed and billed a substantial number of female condoms that the pharmacy never received from a wholesaler.

— Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 24 June 2026

Definition of dispense

Verb

That project, called Aviano, now ranks among nine developments across Antioch, Oakley, Martinez, Pinole and Pleasant Hill that federal prosecutors appear to be targeting in their latest investigation into the assessor’s office, the subpoenas show.

— Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Some winners have consistently ranked in the awards for more than two decades; others are catching your attention for the first time.

— Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of rank

Verb

The man — identified by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson — fled on foot, pursued by Memphis police officers along with Tennessee National Guard soldiers who are assigned to the area.

— Joel Rose, NPR, 5 July 2026
Around the same time, Sullivan, who was assigned male at birth, began questioning her gender identity.

— Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Definition of assign

Verb

Stroll the historic downtown for antiques, art, and more, all while the adjacent Truckee River provides a natural soundtrack.

— Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
The state also provides a $20 per month taxable subsidy for workers who commute using a bike for at least half of work days each month.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of provide

Verb

In his final state budget as governor, Gavin Newsom allocated $135 million to provide incentives for new and used EVs.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Then these costs are allocated to categories of customers, such as residential, commercial and industrial.

— Theodore J. Kury, The Conversation, 6 July 2026

Definition of allocate

Browse Nearby Words

distributary

distribute

distributed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Distribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distribute. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of distribute

verb

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