dole out

verb

doled out; doling out; doles out

transitive verb

1
: to give or deliver in small portions
2
Choose the Right Synonym for dole out

distribute, dispense, divide, deal, dole out 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

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

divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

Examples of dole out in a Sentence

she doles out office supplies as if she were paying for them out of her own pocket
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Kris Knoblauch doled out the five-on-five versus elites, favouring Ekholm in 2024-25 (5:44 per game, 57 percent Dangerous Fenwick, 50 percent goal share) over Darnell Nurse (4:41 per game, 56 percent Dangerous Fenwick) and Brett Kulak (4:32 per game, 58 percent). Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 30 July 2025 Ultimately, hundreds of awards are doled out ranging from Best of Category down through Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze. Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025 But how exactly does the Rothy’s The Square Mary Jane dole out comfiness when so many comparable shoes fall short? Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 July 2025 President Donald Trump called for former Vice President Kamala Harris to be prosecuted over large sums her campaign doled out to celebrities on the campaign trail in 2024. Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 27 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dole out

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dole out was in 1749

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dole out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dole%20out. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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