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 Chapman was the first ex-SBA employee in the country to be charged with bilking the agency responsible for doling out $800 billion in PPP and other pandemic loans, according to federal authorities. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 16 June 2025 Scott has made headlines for doling out $19 billion without binding requirements, allowing dozens of groups to expand the scope of their work and become more financially stable. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 June 2025 That includes the Department of State, which issues student visas; Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which controls the deportation process; and the many agencies involved in doling out federal aid dollars. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 3 June 2025 After an extensive renovation, the Hotel Bel Air reopened in 2011 and has been doling out equal amounts of Old Hollywood glamour and present-day LA wellness-culture comfort ever since. Emma Specter, Vogue, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dole out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out
Verb
  • Instead, the only surviving claim in this case concerns Meta's controversial torrenting of books to train Llama, which authors have so far successfully alleged may have violated copyright laws by distributing their works as part of the torrenting process.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
  • Israel says Hamas steals and sells food from the U.N. and other traditional aid agencies, and that GHF distributes food to civilians under Israeli military supervision without Hamas involvement.
    Daniel Estrin, NPR, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Gi-hun’s Kill Count Plenty of players are content to dispense with societal decorum and start fully murdering each other in the Games — but not Gi-hun.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 18 June 2025
  • Now, Israel may be happy to dispense with its Patriots without acknowledgment.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • Made with a titanium barrel, these curling irons heat the hair from within, ensuring minimal damage while providing a long-lasting hold.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 July 2025
  • As of this writing, NASA has not provided any details on when and where the reports will be available again or if the new assessment will proceed.
    Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The event will also see festival awards handed out across such categories as best feature film, best performance, best screenwriting, people’s choice, jury’s choice, mare nostrum, lifetime achievement, career achievement and Malta film legend.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
  • Present at Leadership Blue and handing out blue jolly ranchers to attendees, David Jolly, the former Republican congressman who announced his run for governor of Florida as a Democrat on June 5, said Florida is ready for a change and ready to build a coalition that leads with democratic values.
    Siena Duncan, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • For border security and immigration enforcement, the package allocates $350 billion, including $46 billion for the U.S.-Mexico border wall and $45 billion for 100,000 migrant detention facility beds.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
  • Billions for border security Both the Senate and the House bills allocate $46.5 billion toward completing Trump's border wall.
    Elena Moore, NPR, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The brand’s production is divided between Paris and Istanbul, the latter being a city with family ties for India.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
  • The Oval Office’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ has divided opinion, after estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found the policies would cost the poorest Americans roughly $1,600 a year while increasing the income of the wealthiest households by an average of $12,000 annually.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 June 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 4 Jul. 2025.

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