dole out

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 And there were plenty of smaller prizes doled out too, 124 tickets that won $50,000 prizes and 25 tickets won $150,000 prizes. Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Sep. 2025 Fernandes Anderson doled out a $13,000 bonus to one of her Council staffers, a relative but not an immediate family member, on the condition that $7,000 be kicked back to her. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025 The Sanseito party tapped into these frustrations on the campaign trail – doling out rhetoric that some critics called inflammatory and xenophobic. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025 More than $250M in incentives were doled out today across 22 series that are returning, relocating or launching production in the state, including Dan Fogelman’s upcoming NFL drama, which received a whopping $42M — even more than the show had originally been approved for. Katie Campione, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dole out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out
Verb
  • A number of rare and valuable Pokémon are unfortunately shiny locked, and typically the only way to obtain shiny versions of these Pokémon is to wait for a future game, or hope that developer Game Freak distributes them as a gift.
    Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Their recommendations often determine if insurance companies cover the vaccine free of charge for a patient and if pharmacies readily distribute them.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But here, your character dispenses all that great wisdom about how to succeed in Vegas, but the character has evolved into also being a dangerous man who orders broken bones and killings of those who cross him.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Phillies may want to take note of that fact Thomson dispensed, because having one of those 34 players that have ever accomplished a feat of such impressive magnitude on your team is a pretty serious advantage.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That game, however, is unavailable for buyers of season-ticket packages according to emails and screenshots provided to SportsMoney by multiple season ticket holders.
    Andrew Wagner, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The violation is the eleventh recorded since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, according to Defense Ministry figures provided to ABC News.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Creative Arts Emmys, held on September 6 and 7, had already handed out several exciting awards, including for Bryan Cranston’s guest turn on The Studio and Julianne Nicholson’s chaotic arc on Hacks.
    Vogue, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The aspiring performer also handed out flyers for the Boston Comedy Club at night in exchange for free stage time at the end of the night, according to The Atlantic.
    Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Funding the high-speed rail project On the final day of sessions, legislators agreed to allocate $1 billion each year from the state’s cap-and-trade program to fund the high-speed rail project.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Budd also does not know how the state would allocate resources among local governments.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While Towanda plans the wedding of her dreams, the family is rocked by medical emergencies, explosive emotional confrontations, and the fallout from a public scandal that threatens to divide them for good.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The conflict between Israel and Palestine was dividing friends, sparking tensions, and fueling rising acts of hostility.
    Rchin Bari, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dole out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dole%20out. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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