DOLE OUT Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

dole out

verb

Definition of dole out

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

Relevance

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 Before that, the Academy doled out an Honorary Oscar when the impact and excellence of a foreign film became too conspicuous to ignore, as with Italy’s The Bicycle Thief in 1949 or Japan’s Rashomon in 1952. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026 Budweiser and Michelob Ultra maker AB InBev, the World’s Cup’s official beer sponsor, doled out marketing support to bars and hosted 200,000 watch parties in 40 countries. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 17 July 2026 Make a beeline for the flagship Olive Young store, the country’s biggest cosmetics retailer, where there’s a whole wall devoted to sheet masks, testing stations and a vending machine that doles out free skincare samples. — Siobhan Grogan, TheWeek, 17 July 2026 Food and drink Days here start at Rice Kitchen, the all-day diner doling out breakfasts of avocado toast with roast tomatoes and white asparagus, and fruit- and flower-topped little bowls of yogurt from Da Lat. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dole out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out

Verb

Siena College of Health was shut down in 2023 following an FBI investigation that found the nursing school was implicated in a scheme distributing more than 7,600 fake nursing diplomas.

— Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
Under the regulation, app developers who distribute their product via Google Play should be able to inform customers of alternative, sometimes cheaper offers.

— Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Definition of distribute

Verb

Many of the voting members on the committee consult with or are employed by companies that could promote or dispense peptides.

— Alana Semuels, Time, 23 July 2026
Again and again, Hartig’s GOP interlocutors seemed to be operating from a definition of a museum that sees its role as dispensing propaganda.

— Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026

Definition of dispense

Verb

Neeru decided to go back to school at age 50 and earned another master’s degree, from Stanford Graduate School of Education, before launching CK-12 Foundation, a non-profit that provides free and customizable digital textbooks for children.

— Nicki Jhabvala, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Along with affordable homes, Lupo said, the best cities for first-time buyers also provide lower crime rates, good schools and a lower overall cost of living.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of provide

Verb

Without it, companies are flying blind when allocating work between people and agents, and that’s why most AI investments aren’t paying off.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Expanding 911 services is part of a larger strategy to beef up city services, with $15 million in settlement funds allocated so far, according to Sara Whaley, Baltimore's director of overdose response.

— Scott Maucione, NPR, 27 July 2026

Definition of allocate

Verb

This expansion weakened their interaction with the material, naturally dividing the mixture into heavier and lighter groups without using traditional solvent extraction.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
Cooper said the attackers divided into groups and surrounded Drakeo’s party near the artist entrance.

— Dave Brooks, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of divide

Browse Nearby Words

dolefulness

dole out

doles

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dole out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dole%20out. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dole out

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on dole out

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

comely

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes