DOLES (OUT) Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

doles out

verb

present tense third-person singular of dole out

as in distributes

to give out (something) to appropriate individuals she doles out office supplies as if she were paying for them out of her own pocket

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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 doles out Although the film doles out answers, there is some economical hand-waving about why the neighborhood has power and running water for so long. — William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026 This Darla sandal, on sale for a limited time, doles out balance despite its towering platform height. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 20 July 2026 Make a beeline for the flagship Olive Young store, the country’s biggest cosmetics retailer, where there’s a whole wall devoted to sheet masks, testing stations and a vending machine that doles out free skincare samples. — Siobhan Grogan, TheWeek, 17 July 2026 The district received a $750,000 grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, which doles out money from sports betting tax revenue, said Diana Lane, sustainable food and water program director for The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, which helped the district land the grant. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 18 June 2026 The property also boasts amenities such as a rooftop pool, an on-site gym, and dining options like Spinning Jenny’s Coffee Bar, which doles out local favorites, including bagels baked by Rover Bagel in the nearby historic Pepperell Mill. — Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026 Also supported are arts funders including the Cleveland Arts Prize, which, in turn, doles out annual $10,000 prizes to visual artists as well as writers, musicians, dancers, and other creatives. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 12 May 2026 Kirby Smart hasn’t hidden from how Georgia doles out dollars to its roster. — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 11 May 2026 Just like a bartender doles out advice to patrons along with their tipple of choice, the Story Tender gives book recommendations to attendees at the bar. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for doles out

Verb

The Confederation of African Football, which is more dependent on the money FIFA distributes than other continental confederations, has backed Infantino.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
The Payout Date, also known as the payment date, is the day the company distributes the dividend to eligible shareholders.

— Sasirekha Subramanian, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of distributes

Verb

That unit dispenses prescriptions in CVS' more than 9,000 retail pharmacies and provides other services, such as vaccinations and diagnostic testing.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
The foundation dispenses $350,000 to $500,000 a year, according to the family's attorney, Stephanie Johnson O’Day.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2026

Definition of dispenses

Verb

In addition to the Supporting Actor and Actress in a Limited/Anthology series, the FKA Creative Arts ceremony hands out the awards for guest acting in comedy and drama, performance in a short-form series, and character voiceover performance.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 July 2026
Twin Farms in Vermont hands out Stave wooden puzzles that change with the seasons, while Baccarat Hotel New York has given VIP guests crystal pieces special enough to become family heirlooms.

— Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of hands out

Verb

Meanwhile, the outbreak of protests against Arab dictatorships in late 2010 reopened old Cold War divides in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, where Putin threw his full weight behind Bashar al-Assad.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 July 2026
From the tee, a series of bunkers divides the fairway into two distinct landing areas, creating the illusion of dual fairways and immediately forcing a strategic decision.

— Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of divides

Verb

Lucas said each year the City Council allocates more than 25% of its annual operating revenue to fund the Police Department, yet the agency struggles each year with paying legal settlements.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
For example, the bill creates incentives to accelerate housing supply development, revitalize vacant commercial properties into residences, and even allocates funds towards innovations that further create more housing supply.

— Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of allocates

Browse Nearby Words

dolesome

doles out

doling out

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“Doles out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doles%20out. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of doles out

verb

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