DOLE OUT Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of dole out are deal , dispense , distribute , and divide . While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply. // doled out what little food there was

Q: When is 'deal' a more appropriate choice than 'dole out'?

The words deal and dole out are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece. // deal out equipment and supplies

Q: When might 'dispense' be a better fit than 'dole out'?

The words dispense and dole out can be used in similar contexts, 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: Where would 'distribute' be a reasonable alternative to 'dole out'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dole out , distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts. // distributed food to the needy

Q: When would 'divide' be a good substitute for 'dole out'?

Although the words divide and dole out have much in common, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal. // three charitable groups divided the proceeds

dole out

verb

Definition of dole out

as in to distribute

to give out (something) to appropriate individuals she doles out office supplies as if she were paying for them out of her own pocket

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How does the verb dole out differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dole out are deal, dispense, distribute, and divide. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

When is deal a more appropriate choice than dole out?

The words deal and dole out are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When might dispense be a better fit than dole out?

The words dispense and dole out can be used in similar contexts, 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

Where would distribute be a reasonable alternative to dole out?

While in some cases nearly identical to dole out, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When would divide be a good substitute for dole out?

Although the words divide and dole out have much in common, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

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 dole out And frankly, the majority of those incentives won’t come close to the $7,500 maximum tax credit Uncle Sam was doling out until last fall. — Sara Lacey, The Drive, 25 June 2026 The budget earmarks most grant money for a new purpose and caps how much NC IOLTA can dole out each year based on when the funds were collected. — Nick Sullivan july 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026 Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill gave about $10 billion to NASA to be doled out over six years, but much of those funds are earmarked for specific purposes. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 The deal was originally expected on Friday, but Council Speaker Julie Menin canceled after the administration didn’t dole out more money for CityFHEPS. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dole out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out

Verb

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
Cut the butter into cubes and distribute throughout the packets.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of distribute

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

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

The rest of the water was handed out throughout the neighborhood at eight different stops.

— Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 1 July 2026
As a result, teams across the league have become more wary about handing out big-money, long-term deals in free agency, as one mistake has the potential to cripple a franchise.

— Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of hand out

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

Verb

The revelation has divided Jefferson descendants for decades.

— Briana Stewart, ABC News, 4 July 2026
The sale sees the property divided into three lots with two buildable, giving the opportunity to create a treasurable family compound in rural seclusion just a 30-minute drive from the island’s main towns.

— Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of divide

Browse Nearby Words

dolefulness

dole out

doles

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“Dole out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dole%20out. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of dole out

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