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)

1
2
3
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
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an order approving a deal that splits TikTok’s US operations from its Chinese parent company ByteDance. Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025 Throughout the week, coffee shops and other establishments will have pop-up events, deals and discounts. Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
But he was dealt back to the Warriors halfway through that 2022-23 season. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025 And Spencer Knight, Florida’s first-round pick in 2019, was solid as Florida’s backup last season before being dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline for defenseman Seth Jones. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deal
Verb
  • Taking into account a couple of stock splits the company has had since then, Nvidia traded at just under $4 at the time.
    Jim Cramer, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Given their historic links to trade, Chinatowns often occupied downtown locations close to busy ports or densely populated urban centers.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Democrats are also trying to pin the shutdown on Republicans, blaming Trump for not negotiating in good faith.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • During his campaign, Pacheco touted the board’s efforts to reduce drug costs for members by negotiating new agreements with healthcare companies.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Today, Elanco stands as one of the leading animal health providers in the world, with more than 9,000 employees globally and more than 200 brands sold for pets and farm animals.
    Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The ahi tuna wasabi poke was sold in more than 30 states, including Ohio.
    Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With Newsom’s signature now on AB 1340, drivers can collectively bargain and unionize, including negotiating contracts, which would set industry-wide standards, according to proponents like bill sponsors Assemblymembers Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, and Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • While major pro sports leagues feature a stable arrangement, with unionized players negotiating a CBA and collectively bargained terms exempt from antitrust scrutiny, the opposite is true in college sports.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deal. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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