dole out

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dole out differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dole out are deal, dispense, distribute, and divide. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

When is deal a more appropriate choice than dole out?

The words deal and dole out are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When might dispense be a better fit than dole out?

The words dispense and dole out can be used in similar contexts, 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

Where would distribute be a reasonable alternative to dole out?

While in some cases nearly identical to dole out, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When would divide be a good substitute for dole out?

Although the words divide and dole out have much in common, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

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 dole out The money also covers the city's never-ending fight against potholes, a scourge compounded by the state's road funding formula, which doles out maintenance money based only on road length, not traffic volume or number of lanes. Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 The majority of the money doled out (46%) went to rental payments. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025 The then-councilor doled out a $13,000 bonus to one of her Council staffers, a relative but not immediate family member, on the condition that $7,000 be kicked back to her. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 4 July 2025 In fact, for the 2019 holiday season, the reality TV star doled out Botox gift cards to her friends and family. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dole out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out
Verb
  • They were distributed at World Market locations in over 30 states.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 20 July 2025
  • From the mobile studio, the live broadcast is distributed simultaneously via satellite links and online streams to TV networks all over the globe.
    Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • The director general of Gaza’s health ministry said the strike hit near a medical center dispensing children’s formula to women.
    Abeer Salman, CNN Money, 10 July 2025
  • As Dee and Dennis raced to loot their parents' house, Charlie, Frank, and Mac found that Philly strippers (including future stars Tiffany Haddish and Natasha Leggero) were moved to dispense free lap dances on guys in wheelchairs, a lightbulb moment that ignited the bond between Charlie and Frank.
    Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Dobbins, just signed last month, got a one-year deal to come in, be a veteran presence in the room and provide juice both in the running game and as a pass protector.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
  • Businesses should ask chatbot vendors to provide real-world data showing how their bots compare to human agents in terms of efficiency, accuracy and customer satisfaction.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Staffers handed out sandwiches, beverages and even canes for those who did not have time to grab their medical equipment in the smoke and flames.
    Holly Ramer, Fortune, 15 July 2025
  • It was repeated in recruiting sessions, one-on-one meetings with HR people, and in the annual Summary Program Description (SPD) booklets handed out to every city worker.
    Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Roughly $106 million in federal funds that support underserved children are in limbo for Tennessee after the U.S. Department of Education missed a key deadline to allocate the money.
    Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 10 July 2025
  • The third would appropriate relief and recovery funding to assist Hill Country flood victims, including allocating local match funding for jurisdictions eligible for FEMA public assistance.
    Bethany Blankley, The Washington Examiner, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Know the Signs Cucumbers are typically divided into two main categories: slicing cucumbers and pickling cucumbers.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2025
  • Debate at meeting During the board meeting Thursday night, the room was divided between supporters of Mayer, advocates for the students who came forward, and former students who were against Mayer’s employment from being reinstated.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dole out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dole%20out. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

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