distribute

1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb distribute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distribute are deal, dispense, divide, and dole out. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When can deal be used instead of distribute?

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

deal out equipment and supplies

In what contexts can dispense take the place of distribute?

The synonyms dispense and distribute are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 divide a more appropriate choice than distribute?

In some situations, the words divide and distribute are roughly equivalent. However, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When could dole out be used to replace distribute?

While in some cases nearly identical to distribute, 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 distribute The team at the store will distribute a limited number of tickets, either physical or digital, to reserve your purchase. Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 30 May 2025 Free books will be distributed, and treats like popcorn and cotton candy will be provided. Jack Rodriquez-Vars, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2025 Wolverine populations are distributed throughout boreal regions in the northern hemisphere, including arctic and subarctic regions and western North America, the Wolverine Foundation noted. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 30 May 2025 Newspapers, once only a platform to distribute daily happenings, are continuing to inspire, only in a different guise. Samantha Tse, CNN Money, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for distribute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distribute
Verb
  • One half of respondents say price increases have caused financial hardships for them or their household, with 16% classifying it as serious hardship.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025
  • Geomagnetic storms are classified using a G-scale, which ranks their intensity from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme).
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • When there’s a gap in the meeting schedule, take your golf cart (one is allotted to every room) out for a spin.
    DeMarco Williams, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • But historic treaties allotted annual allocations of 7.5 million acre-feet to each domestic basin, as well as 1.5 million acre-feet to Mexico.
    Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • 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
Verb
  • Teel, 23, is ranked the No. 2 prospect in the Sox organization by MLB.com, which also lists him as the No. 26 prospect in baseball.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
  • On June 7, No. 1 ranked Aryna Sabalenka will face No. 2 ranked Coco Gauff.
    Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • But ultimately, he was reassigned to minor league camp, and assigned to Triple-A to start the season.
    Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
  • Crews assigned today will continue hitting hotspots.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Both Norton and Bitdefender provide a spot to record all details about the contents of your wallet.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 7 June 2025
  • Senior third baseman Holly Smith provided some stellar defense in the third inning, charging a grounder on the line, scooping the ball up and flipping it to Sujack out of her glove all in one motion for the third out on a force play at the plate.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Thus, Israel’s defense establishment formulated a war concept that distinguished between terrorists and the civilian population in Gaza and strived to cause significant damage to Hamas, even if not to destroy every last Hamas fighter.
    Assaf Orion, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2025
  • The headaches typically occur on the same side as the tumor or cyst and can be challenging for healthcare providers to distinguish from a true headache disorder.6 What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Migraine?
    Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Illinois allocated $75 million in state funding to continue to provide rental assistance to tenants and their landlords for fiscal year 2025.
    Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
  • Under the Republican bill, Medicaid spending will still grow, and Washington would still allocate $7.9 trillion to the program.
    The Editors, National Review, 5 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distribute. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on distribute

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!