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
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Hochul is declining to take part in the program, which is doling out funding in a statewide race for the first time.—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026 According to Castle, simple math suggests that the more fake streams the streaming companies are able to eradicate from their systems, the less money they’ll be obligated to dole out to labels.—Kyle Eustice, VIBE.com, 30 Mar. 2026 Swiss brand Hazemann & Monnin took home LV’s Watch Prize for Independent Creatives in Paris yesterday evening, making the second time the famed fashion house has doled out the award.—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2026 Football is king in the SEC and dictates the buckets of television money the conference doles out.—Justin Williams, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dole out