as in distributing
to give out (something) to appropriate individuals
a conscientious pharmacist never dispenses pills to people without assurances that they understand the instructions
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Recent Examples of dispensing
Though your sink may not be running constantly, the dispensing pipe always has water ready to be used.
—
Katey Psencik, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
The number of beet juice-dispensing trucks in the city of Chicago, according to Cole Stallard, Chicago’s commissioner of Streets and Sanitation.
—Jeff Martin, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
There are also amenities catering to outdoor enthusiasts, such as a bike valet and storage, and water dispensing stations on every floor.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2026
For decades, Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett has been dispensing advice not only about business and investing, but also about the keys to a better life.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
Also, excess food debris was noted in a microwave oven, a cooler, a holster for the pop-dispensing gun and a mixer.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Jan. 2026
Sigillo For oenophiles, Spatafora recommends a visit to Sigillo to try out wines served from its WineEmotion dispensing machine.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
Geuss recalls a mentor—a school teacher of his—dispensing advice about becoming a visual artist.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025
Old frictions become new frays in the very first episode as Norma (Burnett) and Linda, née Penelope (Dern), collide in a tête-à-tête dispensing new secrets and poignant credos after the explosive season one finale that left Robert (Ricky Martin) shot and Linda cuffed.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025
Katey Psencik, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
The number of beet juice-dispensing trucks in the city of Chicago, according to Cole Stallard, Chicago’s commissioner of Streets and Sanitation.
—Jeff Martin, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
There are also amenities catering to outdoor enthusiasts, such as a bike valet and storage, and water dispensing stations on every floor.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2026
For decades, Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett has been dispensing advice not only about business and investing, but also about the keys to a better life.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026
Also, excess food debris was noted in a microwave oven, a cooler, a holster for the pop-dispensing gun and a mixer.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 13 Jan. 2026
Sigillo For oenophiles, Spatafora recommends a visit to Sigillo to try out wines served from its WineEmotion dispensing machine.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
Geuss recalls a mentor—a school teacher of his—dispensing advice about becoming a visual artist.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2025
Old frictions become new frays in the very first episode as Norma (Burnett) and Linda, née Penelope (Dern), collide in a tête-à-tête dispensing new secrets and poignant credos after the explosive season one finale that left Robert (Ricky Martin) shot and Linda cuffed.
—Trey Williams, HollywoodReporter, 14 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispensing
Verb
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And Tuesday night — which featured Yancy’s team distributing a printout of questions challenging the mayor’s handling of the budget — shows the rift between the two progressives growing.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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But by the time cops were distributing her image, her worried parents had realized that the child wandered off and had begun canvassing the neighborhood for her.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But in January, with Ball dishing, Brandon Miller rolling, Miles Bridges dunking, Diabate rebounding and rookie Kon Knueppel providing some of everything, the Hornets have looked formidable.—
Scott Fowler The Charlotte Observer,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
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According to Jared Weiss, Spurs beat writer for The Athletic, the group has quickly evolved into a civic movement, engaging in local charity work and providing emotional support to fans facing health issues.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One was Robert Willner, who had lost his medical license in Florida for claiming to have cured an AIDS patient by administering ozone.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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Murillo also initiated similar career and technical education programs during her time in leadership at KCPS, along with administering federal education initiatives.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Honda will be Aston Martin’s works partner from 2026, supplying the team with the new generation of engines.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
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Under the order, the Commerce Department will determine whether a foreign country is supplying oil to Cuba, either directly or through intermediaries.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dispensing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispensing. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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