deal 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of dealnext
as in ton
a considerable amount there is a great deal of waste in government

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deal

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken we made a deal to cooperate on the next assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in sale
the transfer of ownership of something from one person to another for a price we closed the deal for the house last week

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in contract
a formal agreement to fulfill an obligation if the other party backs out of the deal after it's signed, you can sue

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in situation
position with regard to conditions and circumstances we don't yet know what the deal is with the new manager

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in bargain
something bought or offered for sale at a desirable price that mail-order sweater isn't such a great deal after you factor in the cost of shipping and handling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deal

3 of 3

verb

ˈdēl How to pronounce deal (audio)
1
as in to trade
to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property that store deals in used furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to negotiate
to talk over or dispute the terms of a purchase you're going to have to learn how to deal if you want to buy a car at a fair price

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deal are dispense, distribute, divide, and dole out. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When could dispense be used to replace deal?

In some situations, the words dispense and deal are roughly equivalent. However, 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 distribute a more appropriate choice than deal?

Although the words distribute and deal have much in common, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When can divide be used instead of deal?

The words divide and deal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When is it sensible to use dole out instead of deal?

The synonyms dole out and deal are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 deal
Noun
Keep shopping the best deals from Kate Spade Outlet’s Presidents’ Day sale below, including favorite handbags and wallets for under $100. —Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026 The portal has benefited college athletes in many ways, granting them the freedom to secure better opportunities for playing time and name, image and likeness deals. —Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
This comes after the Timberwolves dealt Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks to the Chicago Bulls to acquire Ayo Dosunmu on Thursday morning. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026 The parameters of what Vancouver is willing to consider have since expanded to include just about everybody on the roster aside from defenceman Filip Hronek and a few veteran players with no-move protection and no desire to consider being dealt. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deal
  1. trade
  2. negotiate
  3. sell
  4. bargain
Verb
  • European markets traded higher on Monday, as investors digest the key points from this year's Munich Security Conference.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
  • This McGill and Chinese University of Hong Kong grad also has bylines in Architectural Digest, Men's Journal, Town & Country, and Observer—occasionally trading his keyboard for time in front of cameras for brand campaigns or keeping conversations flowing as a panel moderator.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of trade
Verb
  • The district decided to purchase fewer buses this year and opted not to give teachers a raise, negotiating a one-time bonus instead.
    — Carley Lanich, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The English language distribution rights are still being negotiated.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of negotiate
Verb
  • Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Coco frio, also known as fresh coconut water, is a refreshment commonly sold by street vendors on the island.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of sell
Verb
  • The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative agreement in Chattanooga, Tennessee, signaling what may be the end of a long and drawn-out negotiation period as the union and Volkswagen bargained over the first contract at the plant.
    — Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • With trust, members can bargain in smaller coalitions—and, with hard work, engage in durable policy-making.
    — Hayleigh Colombo, IndyStar, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of bargain

Phrases Containing deal

Browse Nearby Words

deaf to reason
deal
dealer
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Cite this Entry

“Deal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deal. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deal

Nglish: Translation of deal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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