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 Last year legislators passed SB 292 which bans the manufacturing, selling or distributing of products containing PFAs beginning on Jan. 1, 2028, according to the bill’s analysis. Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 20 May 2025 Subotica is producing for BBC Northern Ireland in association with BBC Comedy, Screen Ireland and RTÉ, with Avalon co-producing and distributing internationally. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 May 2025 The mattress is available in varying levels of thickness (6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-inch), with the increasing thicknesses distributed across each layer. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 20 May 2025 Khan also was linked with distributing nuclear weapons technology to rogue states including North Korea, Iran, and Libya. Davis Winkie, USA Today, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for distribute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distribute
Verb
  • Our writers picked a few obvious candidates (anytime Lamar Jackson-Patrick Mahomes clash in any year classifies as must-see).
    Dan Pompei, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Based on double-occupancy stateroom bookings, groups typically need to have a minimum of five to eight cabins to be classified as a group.
    Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • The parcel was allotted to her in 1891 through the Dawes Act, which allowed the federal government to break up tribal land.
    Nick Oxford, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • In the district where the Cozy Inn is located, businesses are allotted three square feet of signage per linear foot of street frontage, the Salina Post reported.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The Drama League, made up of industry professions, producers, artists, audiences and critics, first dispensed awards in 1922 and formalized the practice in 1935, making the The Drama League Awards the oldest theatrical honors in America.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 16 May 2025
  • The ensuing conflict between them takes an abrupt turn into a hotel-room two-hander as Anima fastens Abel to a bed and coerces him into confronting his feelings by playing his own music to him and dispensing shallow insights about how his songs’ upbeat melodies belie their cry-for-help content.
    Charles Bramesco, IndieWire, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The offense ranked 12th in scoring and the defense was 15th in points allowed.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Naperville, Illinois, which earlier this year was also named the best place to live in America by Niche, ranked fourth, and Roswell, Georgia, snagged the fifth spot with a Livability Score of 838.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • The re-tasking of U.S. naval ships assigned to the western Pacific theater comes as China—now possessing the world's largest navy by hull count, with more than 370 vessels—expands its military reach and presence in the region, attempting to challenge American naval dominance.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
  • Among other resources, three engines have also been assigned to fight the wildfire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The information and opinions contained in this article are provided by the author and have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed.
    William Jones, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • But in August, the state Department of Education started reviewing curricula and providing extensive feedback to districts.
    Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • In his book The Spirit Molecule, about the first modern study that administered DMT to humans, the psychiatrist Rick Strassman uses a TV metaphor to distinguish the drug’s effects from those of other psychoactive substances.
    Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
  • With the right intelligence, firms can distinguish fraudsters from legitimate customers and still deliver great digital journeys.
    Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • The housing association is an independent nonprofit created by the Legislature and tasked with allocating these credits.
    Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 23 May 2025
  • Cleveland, which is already due to pay the luxury tax next season, might be forced to lose a role player such as Sam Merrill or Ty Jerome after allocating additional millions of dollars to Mobley.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distribute. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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