deal 1 of 3

as in ton
a considerable amount there is a great deal of waste in government

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deal

2 of 3

noun (2)

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2
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4
as in situation
position with regard to conditions and circumstances we don't yet know what the deal is with the new manager

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
as in bargain
something bought or offered for sale at a desirable price that mail-order sweater isn't such a great deal after you factor in the cost of shipping and handling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deal

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deal are dispense, distribute, divide, and dole out. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When could dispense be used to replace deal?

In some situations, the words dispense and deal are roughly equivalent. However, 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

When is distribute a more appropriate choice than deal?

Although the words distribute and deal have much in common, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When can divide be used instead of deal?

The words divide and deal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When is it sensible to use dole out instead of deal?

The synonyms dole out and deal are sometimes interchangeable, but dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deal
Noun
The expectation is that guard Dru Smith will return to the Heat on a two-way deal, as Miami extended a two-way qualifying offer to him. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025 The four-year deal reportedly has a total value of $285 million and contractually ties the reigning league MVP to the Thunder through the 2030-31 season. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
The Panthers’ third-round pick (No. 96) was dealt to the Ottawa Senators in 2024 in exchange for Vladimir Tarasenko. Cameron Priester, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2025 As part of the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah was pushed away from areas bordering Israel in south Lebanon and isn’t allowed to have an armed presence south of the Litani River. Ahmad Mantash, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for deal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deal
Verb
  • The yield on the benchmark 10-year note gained 2 basis points, while spot gold shed 0.2% to trade at around $3,359 per ounce.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 23 June 2025
  • Miami is permitted to trade the 20th pick in Wednesday’s draft, and that’s an option the team might consider.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Deals like those could get done before the official start time because teams are allowed to negotiate with their own free agents once the NBA Finals are finished.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
  • The White House told Newsweek that Trump had been working to help farmers, including eliminating 10 regulations for every new regulation, as well as negotiating the U.K. trade deal, which expanded the markets available to them.
    Billal Rahman Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • In the prior week, Load sold only a little less than 200 copies, just before Metallica re-released it.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Cuban purchased the Dallas Mavericks in 2000 for $285 million, selling his majority stake in the NBA team in late 2023 for $3.5 billion.
    Diane J. Cho, People.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Right now, 450 of my co-workers and I in the Greater Boston area are bargaining for a new contract.
    Mike Ortiz, Boston Herald, 28 June 2025
  • Whereas sellers could hold fast on their asking prices a few years ago, many are now willing to bargain.
    LEW SICHELMAN, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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