DISTRIBUTE Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

distribute

verb

di-ˈstri-byüt

Definition of distribute

as in to classify

to arrange or assign according to type distribute the assignments according to seniority

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to allot

to give as a share or portion committed to distributing the school's limited scholarship money so that it benefits more students

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dispense

to give out (something) to appropriate individuals distributed pamphlets on recycling to everyone in the neighborhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 If a management layer primarily exists to collect information, summarize it, translate it, carry it upward, and distribute it downward, then AI makes that role easier to question. — Keith Ferrazzi, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 In the past few weeks, the university distributed a revision of the proposal the task force rejected to at least some County Commissioners. — Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 The format was created and developed by IDTV in cooperation with RTL Creative Unit and is distributed by All3Media International, part of media and entertainment group, Banijay Entertainment. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 Better crystals could distribute thorium more evenly and reduce internal defects. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distribute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distribute

Verb

Only 15 were classified as youth- or student-led groups, while the remaining 35 included communist organizations, labor groups, political organizations and professional protest coordinators.

— Asra Q. Nomani, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Near the epicenter, the agency estimated an intensity of VIII, classified as severe on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, which measures how strongly the ground shakes at individual locations.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of classify

Verb

Insider tip If your schedule permits, allot at least two days here.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Hinson said the bill’s reductions to Medicaid spending for Iowa will be offset by the Rural Health Transformation Program, which allots $50 billion divided among all 50 states over the next five years.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of allot

Verb

In May, a federal appeals court granted Louisiana’s request to reinstate a nationwide requirement that mifepristone be dispensed in person.

— Aria Bendix, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026
The agency has repeatedly reaffirmed the pill’s safety and effectiveness over the years, in addition to easing a number of restrictions on the drug, including dropping a requirement that it be dispensed in person.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dispense

Verb

Grant’s comeback hopefully will bode well to an interior defensive line unit that has the Dolphins playing admirable—ranked 15th—against the run.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
Their continued descent down the rankings is also likely having an effect on how AP voters rank Boise State.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of rank

Verb

Jose Mercedes, a 10-year NYPD veteran assigned to the 44th Precinct, told the New York Post on Saturday.

— Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Elma follows police detective Elma (Unnur Birna Backman), who returns to her hometown having fled a romantic affair that left her in pieces, and is assigned to the local force as a woman’s body is found lying at the foot of a lighthouse.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of assign

Verb

InToto, a creative arts forum, provides programming for people experiencing economic hardship, and at his African Village in America, an ongoing art installation, Joe Minter brings the living memory of the Black experience into central focus.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Evenson said the Missouri Department of Transportation had no issue with the bike race using the bridge, as long as the contractor provides permission.

— Glory Reitz, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of provide

Verb

Yet despite their contrasting presentations, there is little to distinguish their strategies at this early stage.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
From there, the runway becomes a space to discover more avant-garde designs — distinguished by craftsmanship, fabrication and details.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguish

Verb

Qualifying stock is transferred to Treasury and allocated to eligible children according to donor instructions and Treasury guidance.

— Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
The temporary restraining order by Judge Jennifer Rochon in Manhattan federal court also bars the Department of Homeland Security from spending any more of the $20 million allocated for the ad campaign.

— Dan Mangan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of allocate

Browse Nearby Words

distributary

distribute

distributed

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“Distribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distribute. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of distribute

verb

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