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

Kim can allay some frustrations by doling out luxury apartments, promotions, and access to extravagant lifestyles. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

In addition to the £120 million infusion, the UK also plans to dole out £60 million to a sovereign AI fund to help boost domestic AI companies, and £18 million to boost homegrown chip design. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Meet Bears of Anan Creek The United StatesThe Forest Service team at Tongass National Forest are currently doling out the Anan Bear Awards to the 39 bears spotted at the Anan Wildlife Observatory in Tongass National Forest. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Oct. 2026

In Massachusetts, more than $146 million has been doled out in down payment help to homebuyers since 2020. — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 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