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 Troubling, too, is that the Supreme Court is the body dispensing this favor. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025 Among the members of Generation Z, at least a third have dispensed with religion altogether. Tara Isabella Burton, Air Mail, 24 May 2025 Another way was dispensing care at the mobile clinics that P.H.R.I. operated in the occupied territories. Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025 To make ordering worthwhile, get dad a few bottles and a measured chemist’s glass to dispense said refresher from his own bar. Saveur Editors, Saveur, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dispense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispense
Verb
  • Instead, the only surviving claim in this case concerns Meta's controversial torrenting of books to train Llama, which authors have so far successfully alleged may have violated copyright laws by distributing their works as part of the torrenting process.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
  • Israel says Hamas steals and sells food from the U.N. and other traditional aid agencies, and that GHF distributes food to civilians under Israeli military supervision without Hamas involvement.
    Daniel Estrin, NPR, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Others will be looking to you for guidance this month, and your ability to provide stability will set the tone for what’s to come.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
  • Speaking of recruitment, Paulson believes a realigned schedule would also provide a boost, allowing MLS clubs could be more competitive in the global summer transfer window.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • In about half a dozen large states where county governments administer federal safety net programs, the costs of training caseworkers on the new verification protocols could trickle from states to counties.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 26 June 2025
  • Officers administered Narcan and attempted CPR, but she was declared dead a few minutes later.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Billions for border security Both the Senate and the House bills allocate $46.5 billion toward completing Trump's border wall.
    Elena Moore, NPR, 28 June 2025
  • For border security and immigration enforcement, the package allocates $350 billion, including $46 billion for the U.S.-Mexico border wall and $45 billion for 100,000 migrant detention facility beds.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dispense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispense. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dispense

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