dole out

verb

Definition of dole outnext
as in to distribute
to give out (something) to appropriate individuals she doles out office supplies as if she were paying for them out of her own pocket

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dole out differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dole out are deal, dispense, distribute, and divide. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

When is deal a more appropriate choice than dole out?

The words deal and dole out are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When might dispense be a better fit than dole out?

The words dispense and dole out can be used in similar contexts, 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

Where would distribute be a reasonable alternative to dole out?

While in some cases nearly identical to dole out, 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 dole out?

Although the words divide and dole out have much in common, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

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 dole out While revenue-sharing payments are not public information, the Hurricanes were early adopters of NIL and the transfer portal, so UM is likely doling out revenue-sharing payments, as well. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 23 July 2025 Pacho was called for a reckless challenge and Hernandez earned red for doling out an elbow. —Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025 The Primetime Emmy Awards will be doled out at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Sept. 14. —Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025 However, peaches are high in sugar, so only dole out the peaches in small doses. —Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dole out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out
  1. distribute
  2. dispense
  3. provide
  4. hand out
  5. allocate
  6. divide
Verb
  • Kennedy has now signed off on the recommendation to remove thimerosal from influenza vaccines distributed in the U.S.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • On Friday, the Israeli military said that 200 trucks of aid were distributed by the U.N. and other organizations on Thursday, with hundreds more waiting to be picked up from border crossings inside Gaza.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of distribute
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
  • 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
  • Being a brand ambassador could mean handing out samples of food and beverages, or passing out flyers and talking up the company.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 30 July 2025
  • Given that level of uncertainty, teams might be even more inclined to hand out shorter-term contracts and reluctant to ink long-term pacts with anyone short of a star.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Definition of hand out
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
Verb
  • Hamilton County residents are divided on the new lease terms for Paycor Stadium.
    — Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
  • The California health system has divided his former positions amongst Michael Condrin (interim CEO) and Dr. Bruce Lee Hall (interim vice chancellor of human health sciences).
    — Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of divide

Browse Nearby Words

dolefulness
dole out
doles
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dole out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dole%20out. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of dole out for Spanish Speakers

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