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 The Salvation Army and Portage Township Schools partnered to distribute food and drinks at Portage High School Thursday. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Rationed water would then be distributed from standpipes in central collection points. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 13 Aug. 2026 The company has leaned into original productions in recent years, distributing its shows across multiple devices domestically while pushing Asian content out to audiences abroad through its overseas streaming arm. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 The organization has distributed hundreds of meals at its offices and mobile units, and is planning for long-term help for residents who need it. — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distribute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distribute

Verb

Some are classified as electric motorcycles with the capacity to reach greater speeds than e-bikes can and the ability to cause a lot of damage if not safely operated, Obolenskiy said.

— Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Aggressive plants have robust growth, can be native or nonnative, and are sometimes further classified as invasive.

— Dr. Lauren Kurtz, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of classify

Verb

Aggressive plants can outcompete other plants for resources and outgrow the space allotted to them.

— Dr. Lauren Kurtz, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026
For a long time, the prime real estate for podcast discovery was Apple’s iTunes, where new podcasts were allotted their own row for a week.

— Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of allot

Verb

That’s the takeaway from an incident in the small city of Chuzhou, China, after a large langue model dispensed some advice that led to the untimely death of 25 acres worth of produce.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026
The new law prohibits drugmakers from restricting the number or types of pharmacies that hospitals and other providers can contract with to dispense medications to their patients through a federal program called the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

— Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of dispense

Verb

Tracking the recommendations of top Wall Street analysts can help investors pick the right dividend stocks, as these experts assign their ratings after an in-depth analysis of a company's financials and ability to pay dividends consistently.

— , CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026
In early 2025, Said was assigned to cover the Los Angeles wildfires and additional weather events, according to the suit, and while in the field sustained a bone contusion when a piece of heavy equipment struck her foot.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of assign

Verb

The plan will intensify the battle between Amazon and Walmart to provide consumers with the fastest delivery times.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
The Australians do provide a men’s and women’s singles berth for a player from the Asia-Pacific region, to foster development in less traditional tennis countries.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of provide

Verb

Rather than attention-getting architectural statements, his work favored relatively modest and affordable homes distinguished by thoughtful design and a close connection to their surroundings.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2026
However, what truly distinguishes the series from its predecessor is its awareness of societal issues beyond sexism and misogyny.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of distinguish

Browse Nearby Words

distributary

distribute

distributed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Distribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distribute. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of distribute

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on distribute

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

rigmarole

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes