distribute

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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 Piccard points out that reducing food and water waste is another form of energy efficiency, as significant amounts of energy are required to grow, harvest, transport, and distribute food and water. Felicia Jackson, Forbes, 31 Jan. 2025 Amid all that scrambling, the administration also ordered a pause on international aid, which led health organizations to stop distributing HIV medications purchased with U.S. funds, only to have the State Department walk back that directive. Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2025 The study has been a political hot potato for years, and city leaders will soon face the question of how to distribute the department’s limited number of police officers in an effective way that satisfies the city’s array of constituencies — and legal obligations. Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 Launched in 2013 as Angelini Beauty and renamed in September, AB Parfums is known for creating, developing, marketing and distributing fragrances for fashion brands. Sandra Salibian, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for distribute 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distribute
Verb
  • An atomic wedgie is classified as one in which a person's underwear is pulled above the victim's head or higher.
    Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025
  • The movement was classified by periodic pulses, or bursts of mobility that lasted for one to two hours.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The budget submitted by the Lai administration in August marked a defense budget increase of just 2.45 percent, down from the 2.5 percent allotted last year.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The building has 381 residences, with 115 of them allotted for affordable housing.
    Victoria M. Walker, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Positive reinforcement training, on the other hand, identifies the things that a dog likes and dispense them as rewards for positive behavior.
    Dawn Kovell, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The report identifies a diversification in the strains of medical cannabis dispensed throughout 2024.
    Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Gem State ranked second overall, behind Kansas.
    Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Last May, Italian player Jannik Sinner—who is currently ranked number one in the world and clinched his second successive Australian Open—went public with his romance with Russian player Anna Kalinskaya.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Sometime before an American Airlines flight crashed into an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River, an air traffic controller was assigned both duties by their supervisor, the New York Times reported, citing a source briefed on staffing and an internal preliminary FAA safety report.
    Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Congress first assigned aircraft accident investigations to the Commerce Department in 1926.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Jon will then walk through the home and can provide an offer price within 24 hours.
    Archway Homes, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Rosenthal recommends using the one-third rule, which means leaving one-third of the surface free in order to provide visual balance.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Women’s football has done enough to distinguish itself from the men’s game, but a difference that is less spoken about is the fan-player culture.
    Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
  • The children are each given a handy distinguishing trait or two: Veroca is the worldly firebrand on the cusp of adulthood, Marcelo (Guilherme Silveira) the lovable goofball.
    Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • According to a list released by the White House, USAID allocated millions of dollars for programs the Trump administration considers controversial and that frequently involved diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives launched during the Biden administration.
    Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 4 Feb. 2025
  • What's next: CMPD is launching a pilot program called CMPD Switch (Safety Wellness Initiative Towards Community Households) to allocate more resources and investigators to these crimes.
    Alexandria Sands, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distribute. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

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