deal 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of dealnext
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)

1
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken we made a deal to cooperate on the next assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in sale
the transfer of ownership of something from one person to another for a price we closed the deal for the house last week

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in contract
a formal agreement to fulfill an obligation if the other party backs out of the deal after it's signed, you can sue

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

ˈdēl How to pronounce deal (audio)
1
as in to trade
to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property that store deals in used furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to negotiate
to talk over or dispute the terms of a purchase you're going to have to learn how to deal if you want to buy a car at a fair price

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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 gamble that Dallas plays in this instance is if Pickens holds out from voluntary and mandatory offseason activities until a long-term deal is worked out. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026 There has been discrepancy whether the cast’s contracts include promotional obligations for the movie, with some suggesting that, given the treatment, actors may not be keen on performing publicity if their deals don’t stipulate that. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
And then, following the 2025 preseason, Pickett was dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders. —Mike Kaye march 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026 In the 1950s and '60s people started leaving for larger urban centers, and the Turkish invasion in 1974 dealt a final blow, cutting off access to the port at Morfou and bringing mining to a halt. —Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deal
  1. trade
  2. negotiate
  3. sell
  4. bargain
Verb
  • But that pact came without the protection of a no-trade clause, and as the Cubs sputtered to a second consecutive 83-win, playoff-less season, the idea of trading a controllable second baseman with the ability to play shortstop to upgrade the roster wasn’t too far-fetched.
    — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The five-star analyst continues to view FANG as a compelling pick, given that the stock is trading at an attractive 12% average free cash flow yield on 2027 and 2028 estimates compared to the large-cap oil exploration and production peer average of 10%.
    — TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of trade
Verb
  • But stocks were buoyed by reports that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was willing to negotiate.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • There were no mass demonstrations by the Iranian people against the regime, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continued to fight even more ferociously, and Khamenei’s death did nothing to bring Iran’s negotiating position onto a more reasonable plane.
    — Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of negotiate
Verb
  • Premade bag lunches for kids will be sold, too.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Cator asked Williams to sell him some marijuana, according to the ruling.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of sell
Verb
  • It’s believed that the list of teams that get competitive balance picks is collectively bargained.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The military buildup gives the president optionality, not just to strike, but to bargain from strength, Cohen noted.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of bargain

Phrases Containing deal

Browse Nearby Words

deaf to reason
deal
dealer
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Cite this Entry

“Deal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deal. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deal

Nglish: Translation of deal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deal

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