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 Last year, the ministry also told schools and teachers to use caution when doling out punishments. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 May 2025 The budget also doesn’t leave much room for economic challenges, as the administration has doled out tariffs worldwide, creating uncertainty in the stock market. Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 2 May 2025 These multi-tasking marvels have found creative ways to juggle it all, to dole out love, and to pass their wisdom on to their children. Rebecca Deurlein, Southern Living, 8 May 2025 Five years ago, builder Jared Brunk and his architecture partner and wife Shanna Yates doled out nearly $600,000 for a South Los Angeles parcel holding a traditional California bungalow dating back to the early 1900s. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dole out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out
Verb
  • Partnering with local community groups that already distribute these materials could increase your impact.
    Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 21 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
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 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
  • Temporary housing assistance for the residents was provided by Hanover Township Emergency Services.
    Courier-News, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Today, Hawaiians hand out leis for nearly every occasion – from weddings to funerals, to airport pickups and beyond.
    Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 18 May 2025
  • In the absence of prayer mats, the NEOM flags being handed out for free were used instead.
    James Montague, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • What's Next Breastfeeding often divides public opinion, and will likely spark similar debates online in the future.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • On our trip to Greenville, Victor stopped at a road that divides two burial grounds in town.
    Erika Hayasaki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Specifically, the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research allocated $100 million in federal funding for women's health in February 2024.
    Kori Hale, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • An aggressive investor willing to stomach some of the volatility and wanting to (potentially) allocate slightly over $10,000 to bitcoin could purchase 100 shares of iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) and sell one June 51 put at 83 cents and one June 72 call at 63 cents.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 12 May 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 24 May. 2025.

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