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 Over the last three decades, officials have doled out $60 million. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025 Before releasing her new album Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina Carpenter only doled out one promotional single. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Mariah Carey, will be honored with the ceremonies' Video Vanguard Award, while the presenter list is equally glamorous, with Ciara, Drew Barrymore, Ashlee Simpson and Jessica Simpson, and many more doling out awards throughout the night. Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025 Instead, the policy will give businesses that dole out smaller wages for tipped workers an outsize advantage. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dole out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out
Verb
  • Instead, what outsiders mistake as a lack of control is usually careful management of who gets to steal and how the spoils are distributed.
    Zephyr Teachout, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The list includes some actors whose work is distributed by Disney.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The more subtle Ted to Russ’ broader Jamie Tartt is Jake Hudson (Steve Zahn, delivering a better performance than the material deserves), a good but beleaguered head coach who dispenses avuncular advice.
    Judy Berman, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Large leaf piles require several rounds of filling and dispensing the bags to process.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Super Bowl Halftime Show typically draws over 100 million viewers, providing unprecedented global exposure for artists and their cultural impact.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • However, many plant protein powders combine different sources to provide all essential amino acids, including leucine.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Tension boiled over when Boston Public Health Commissioner Bisola Ojikutu, a top Wu administration official, said the city hands out more than 80,000 needles per month to drug users.
    Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Numerous players around the NFL were fined for violations in Week 2, as the league handed out seven different fines to players from last week for a total of $92,743.
    Mark Kern, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This was offset by a high hotel quality rating, of 8 out of 10, alongside an 82,500-capacity stadium with eight matches allocated.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Martin laughed this week when asked to approximate the number of hours he’s allocated to this.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Carriage 3 was conceived and crafted in-house, cleverly using a sliding Victorian rail carriage door to divide the kitchen from the living and sleeping compartments, which are accessed via beautiful (and functional) fold-away steps.
    Chloe Frost-Smith, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Viewers can also expect health emergencies, explosive confrontations and the fallout from a public scandal that threatens to divide the family even further.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 24 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dole out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dole%20out. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dole out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!