DISPENSE Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of dispense are deal , distribute , divide , and dole out . While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," 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 'deal' be a reasonable alternative to 'dispense'?

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

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

In some situations, the words distribute and dispense are roughly equivalent. However, 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 'dispense'?

The words divide and dispense can be used in similar contexts, but divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal. // three charitable groups divided the proceeds

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

The words dole out and dispense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply. // doled out what little food there was

dispense

verb

di-ˈspen(t)s

Definition of dispense next

as in to distribute

to give out (something) to appropriate individuals a conscientious pharmacist never dispenses pills to people without assurances that they understand the instructions

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How does the verb dispense differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dispense are deal, distribute, divide, and dole out. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," 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 deal be a reasonable alternative to dispense?

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

deal out equipment and supplies

When can distribute be used instead of dispense?

In some situations, the words distribute and dispense are roughly equivalent. However, 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 dispense?

The words divide and dispense can be used in similar contexts, but divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When is dole out a more appropriate choice than dispense?

The words dole out and dispense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 dispense Hummingbird feeders are designed to easily dispense this sweet food. —

Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 7 Feb. 2026 Raw chicken was stored above ready-to-eat salsa, knives were put away without being properly cleaned and some cooking sauce was dispensed out of unlabled containers. —

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2026 The three senators pointed to potential conflicts of interest between TrumpRx and an online dispensing company, BlinkRx. —

Gavin J. Quinton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026 No, paint tubes dispensing with primary colors of blue, red, and yellow, in honor of Italy’s art history. —

Sean Gregory, Time, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispense

Verb

The Logical Pictures Group said that the deal strengthened its historic links with Gondry and his longtime producer Georges Bermann at Partizan, forged by The Jokers Films, which distributed the director’s 2023 drama The Book of solutions and Maya Give Me A Title.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
The handouts are intended to be distributed in recreational areas such as parks, nature preserves and hiking trails.

— Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Definition of distribute

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dispensations

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dispensed

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“Dispense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispense. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of dispense

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