dole out

verb

doled out; doling out; doles out

transitive verb

1

: to give or deliver in small portions

2

: dish out

Synonyms

• administer
• allocate
• apportion
• deal (out)
• dispense
• distribute
• hand out
• mete (out)
• parcel (out)
• portion
• prorate

Choose the Right Synonym for dole out

distribute, dispense, divide, deal, dole out 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

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

divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

Examples of dole out in a Sentence

she doles out office supplies as if she were paying for them out of her own pocket

Recent Examples on the Web

Open for lunch Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., this restaurant doles out bento boxes, ramen, sushi, and more. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2024

But for his own line of work, Murray doled out some advice for when jokes go horribly wrong. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 9 June 2024

Millions have been doled out in settlements due to the actions of his deputies. —The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 5 June 2024

This season, rental car companies are doling out major savings, airlines are beefing up their getaway deals, and countless hotels and resorts are slashing room rates to compete for your attention. —Kyler Alvord, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1