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 is doled out via a 10-year, no-interest loan. Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 It’s been barely a year since Nick and Vanessa Lachey put their snazzy Honolulu residence up for sale and doled out $6.8 million for all-new modern farmhouse-style digs in Los Angeles. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 26 June 2025 For players accustomed to grinding out every inch of content out of their games, there might be a limited pool of rewards compared to games like Call of Duty or Fortnite that dole out endless updates season after season. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025 But scandal soon erupted after officials at Loretto, including Ahmed, were accused of improperly doling out COVID-19 vaccinations soon after the shots became available. Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dole out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out
Verb
  • It will be distributed inside Gate A, the Royals said.
    Pete Grathoff July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
  • The uncertain state of Tehran highlights the trickiness of distributing a TV show ripped from geopolitical headlines — particularly when that distributor has a much larger business around the world than just airing television shows.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • Feedback from countless measures provided the intelligence to refine and invent, not just correct and adjust.
    Chip Bell, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Healey also conveniently neglects to mention the scores of no-bid contracts her administration handed out to pay for the hotel shelters and house and feed the migrants.
    Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 7 July 2025
  • In late February, Bondi handed out binders with Epstein case files to pro-Trump social media influencers at the White House -- files that ultimately contained little new information.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 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 21 Jul. 2025.

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