DEAL Synonyms: 339 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

deal 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of deal next

as in ton

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deal

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in agreement

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

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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

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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

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as in situation

position with regard to conditions and circumstances we don't yet know what the deal is with the new manager

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deal

3 of 3

verb

ˈdēl

as in to trade

to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property that store deals in used furniture

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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?

deal out equipment and supplies

When could dispense be used to replace deal?

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?

deal out equipment and supplies

When could dispense be used to replace deal?

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

Margarito, known as Jay, brought the charm and deal-making savvy. —

Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 Opponents have seized on that fact, framing the stadium deal as corporate welfare for rich team owners. —

Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026

Verb

So even if Sadiq made it that far and the 49ers were willing to deal the pick rather than take him, the gap is 396 points. —

Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026 Williams could make some sense as a natural backup to Adebayo if Ware is dealt. —

Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deal

Verb

The Renaissance master, whose name is only ever sighed in the same breath as Leonardo and Michelangelo, supposedly traded truth for beauty, and ended up destroying both.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Publicly traded REITs that focus on health care are worth nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars, according to Nareit, an industry association.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026

Definition of trade

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“Deal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deal. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of deal

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Word of the Day

boondoggle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Popular in Wordplay

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

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Popular

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

9 Other Words for Beautiful

Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

Games & Quizzes