Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dispense differ from other similar words?

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

Where would deal be a reasonable alternative to dispense?

While the synonyms deal and dispense are close in meaning, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When can distribute be used instead of dispense?

In some situations, the words distribute and dispense are roughly equivalent. However, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When would divide be a good substitute for dispense?

The words divide and dispense can be used in similar contexts, but divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When is dole out a more appropriate choice than dispense?

The words dole out and dispense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 dispense Perhaps the only thing Gore Vidal enjoyed more than dispensing witticisms—or sipping a Macallan single malt—was being photographed. Air Mail, 27 Sep. 2025 The more subtle Ted to Russ’ broader Jamie Tartt is Jake Hudson (Steve Zahn, delivering a better performance than the material deserves), a good but beleaguered head coach who dispenses avuncular advice. Judy Berman, Time, 26 Sep. 2025 Large leaf piles require several rounds of filling and dispensing the bags to process. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025 Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis allegedly dispensed the substance at West Florence High School in Florence, South Carolina, over a nearly monthlong span, leaving school officials mystified as to the origin of the foul odor, the Florence County Sheriff's office said in a statement. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dispense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispense
Verb
  • Gently shake the bag to distribute the scent over all the mix.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Blackman distributed ballots and ballot boxes throughout the shelters and Cincinnati's libraries to collect nominations and votes.
    Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Numbers provided by Cincinnati Public Schools show that the school district had 4,326 homeless students last year, representing a 77% increase from a decade prior, despite total student enrollment increasing by only 538 students over the same period of time.
    Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Green Hill plans to help restart Smith Springs financially, provide manpower for physical work and could potentially have some of its congregants move to Smith Springs Baptist, officials said.
    Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As the test was administered, Officer Kelby Dumond sat atop Ross to monitor the horse's every reaction.
    Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Lose just one vaccine, and providers may have to administer dozens more to break even.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to brain tumors.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • To prevent the literal crossing of signals, a traffic cop (the government) needs to allocate and regulate the space.
    Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on dispense

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