dole out

verb

doled out; doling out; doles out

transitive verb

1

: to give or deliver in small portions

2

: dish out

Synonyms of dole out

• distribute
• dispense
• provide
• deal (out)
• hand out
• allocate
• divide

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

The 3rd Alternativa Film Festival wrapped April 30 in Medellín, Colombia with generous cash prizes doled out to five feature films and two shorts. —Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 3 May 2026

Just like a bartender doles out advice to patrons along with their tipple of choice, the Story Tender gives book recommendations to attendees at the bar. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

The 78-year-old troubadour bravely refused to engage in the kind of safe, predictable, by-the-numbers show that — apart from Bob Dylan and Paul Simon — too many of his baby-boomer peers are content to dole out night after night to nostalgia-craving audiences. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

Instead of just making the simple and effective fix, the NBA would dole out different odds throughout the bottom 16 teams, expanding the lottery from 14. —Zach Harper, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026

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