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 Keshet International is globally distributing the tape and format. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026 The same situation report also mentioned how the drones have helped to distribute 1,591 kilograms of food items across 31 flights. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2026 But the security that these systems provide have raised apprehensions about personal privacy and about where such footage gets stored and distributed. — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026 DAFs have no annual payout mandate, and private foundations must distribute just 5% of assets a year. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distribute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distribute

Verb

The department does not classify its calls by snake type, the spokesperson said.

— Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
The petition sought to classify data centers as industrial nuisances, arguing that a ban would protect residents’ property and preserve city resources, such as water and electricity.

— Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of classify

Verb

Congress has set the current annual cap for new H-1B visas at 65,000, though an additional 20,000 is allotted for those with advanced degrees.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
Foulkes has pitched raising Medicaid reimbursement rates, and she's proposed a tax on millionaires, which would allot money to build over 20,000 homes by adding an additional 3% tax on incomes over $1 million.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of allot

Verb

Sales of prepared food and dispensed beverages also increase slightly less than anticipated.

— Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Saum Poorsaleh, San Diego police public information officer, said his department had issued more than 50 citations at Sunset Cliffs and dispensed about 350 warnings, written and oral, since mid-June.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of dispense

Verb

This week provides a major test for Houser and the offense with defending ACC champ Duke and defensive guru Manny Diaz coming to Champaign.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
That program, run by the drug’s maker, Revolution Medicines, had been set up to provide access to the drug before it had been approved by regulators.

— Angus Chen, STAT, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of provide

Verb

If leaders distinguish between thoughtful and careless risks, people can move boldly without lowering the bar.

— Aleksandr Yampolskiy, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Learning to distinguish genuine friendship from fascination with his position is something Prince William has had to navigate his entire life.

— Janelle Ash , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of distribute

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

churlish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes