distribute

verb

di-ˈstri-byüt How to pronounce distribute (audio)
Definition of distributenext
1
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type distribute the assignments according to seniority

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to allot
to give as a share or portion committed to distributing the school's limited scholarship money so that it benefits more students

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dispense
to give out (something) to appropriate individuals distributed pamphlets on recycling to everyone in the neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb distribute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distribute are deal, dispense, divide, and dole out. While all these words 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

When can deal be used instead of distribute?

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

deal out equipment and supplies

In what contexts can dispense take the place of distribute?

The synonyms dispense and distribute are sometimes interchangeable, 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

When is divide a more appropriate choice than distribute?

In some situations, the words divide and distribute are roughly equivalent. However, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When could dole out be used to replace distribute?

While in some cases nearly identical to distribute, 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 distribute The alert covers products distributed in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin. —News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025 Much of the aid used to go in through a system coordinated by the United Nations, which distributed it at hundreds of sites across the Gaza Strip. —Samuel Granados, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025 The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 31 July 2025 They were distributed at World Market locations in over 30 states. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for distribute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distribute
  1. classify
  2. allot
  3. dispense
  4. rank
  5. assign
  6. provide
  7. distinguish
  8. allocate
Verb
  • More than 71% of the students are emergent bilingual and 17% are classified as immigrants, according to TEA data.
    — Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • This year, Jim Bowden classifies 14 clubs as buyers, eight as sellers and eight as on the fence.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Definition of classify
Verb
  • Most schools are allotting about 75 percent of that to football.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • Connor dealt with injuries throughout the majority of his college career, but a redshirt year and COVID-19 campaign allotted him six seasons.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Definition of allot
Verb
  • The Tennessee law allows a pharmacists to dispense the drug to a patient who is 18 years or older as long as the pharmacy has a collaborative pharmacy practice agreement with a physician.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 July 2025
  • The argument turned bitter when Slater’s team reportedly pushed HPE to dispense with two consultants close to the Trump administration, the vocal MAGA legal activist Mike Davis and lawyer Arthur Schwartz, and negotiate directly with the government’s lawyers.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 24 July 2025
Definition of dispense
Verb
  • Oklahoma’s defense ranked 29th in points allowed (21.5 ppg) nationally last season and sixth in the SEC for average yards against (318.2).
    — Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2025
  • The National Renewable Energy Laboratory ranks Florida among the top five states for solar potential.
    — Mark McNees, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
Definition of rank
Verb
  • Islam, who had joined the NYPD three and a half years ago, was assigned to this precinct.
    — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 30 July 2025
  • The two groups were randomly assigned to one of two lifestyle programs that ran for two years.
    — Alice Park, Time, 30 July 2025
Definition of assign
Verb
  • Your guide provides instructions and all necessary equipment, making this tour suitable for both novices and experienced paddlers.
    — Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
  • The remaining power would be purchased by Hoosier Energy, which provides electricity in Indiana and Illinois.
    — Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
Definition of provide
Verb
  • Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians and operates under the Hamas government.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2025
  • What truly distinguishes Gunn is his commitment to uplifting fellow photographers.
    — Jon-Michael Banks, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of distinguish
Verb
  • The legislation further militarizing the border by allocating resources for more police, military equipment and infrastructure.
    — Jimmy Patino, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • This involves planning your day in advance and allocating specific time slots for various tasks, meetings, and even breaks.
    — Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of allocate

Browse Nearby Words

distributary
distribute
distributed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distribute. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on distribute

Nglish: Translation of distribute for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
iykyk if you know you know slang written in a neon
Quiz: Abbreviation Station TFW you have to figure out what 15 abbreviations ...
See All