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

But scandal soon erupted after officials at Loretto, including Ahmed, were accused of improperly doling out COVID-19 vaccinations soon after the shots became available. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025

Under the new distribution system in Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been forced to travel long distances, including in areas controlled by the Israeli military, to reach a handful of aid sites sprinkled across the enclave, with limited supplies being doled out each day. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 18 June 2025

Do was sentenced June 9 to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of accepting more than $550,000 in bribes in exchange for doling out $10 million in pandemic relief money. —Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 17 June 2025

Grassroots efforts like these were responsible for later advancements such as the inclusion of women and minorities on promotion panels, an equitable process for doling out field assignments and the creation of a childcare facility on the CIA’s grounds, among others. —Christina Hillsberg, People.com, 16 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dole out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout