mete out
phrasal verb
meted out; meting out; metes out
: to give (something) to the people who one decides should get it : to give out or distribute (something)
We're trying to be fair in meting out rewards and punishments.
—usually used to refer to something unpleasant (such as punishment)Huge fines were meted out as punishment.
The king meted out justice as he saw fit.
Examples of mete out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Smail points out the distinct lack of fines and punishments in archival records that were meted out for offenses such as homicide and serious wounding, both commonplace crimes in other cities at the time.
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The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 20 June 2025
As has became standard practice for competitions these days, the intel is meted out in drips and drams so that consumers can be kept on their toes throughout the year, as opposed to having it all over and done with in one succinct announcement.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
The split verdict meted out a measure of vindication to his accusers and prosecutors — but also to Weinstein — in the landmark case.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Except on days when Trump metes out glimmers of hope.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mete out
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The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 20 June 2025
As has became standard practice for competitions these days, the intel is meted out in drips and drams so that consumers can be kept on their toes throughout the year, as opposed to having it all over and done with in one succinct announcement.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
The split verdict meted out a measure of vindication to his accusers and prosecutors — but also to Weinstein — in the landmark case.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Except on days when Trump metes out glimmers of hope.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mete out
Cite this Entry
“Mete out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mete%20out. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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