as in distributing
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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Recent Examples of doling out
Recent reports indicate that Congress members may also favor their alma maters when doling out earmarks.
—
Heather McCambly, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
The awards came shortly thereafter, doling out the first accolades in 1991.
—Carly Westerfield, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026
In the wake of the shooting, many New Yorkers anointed him a hero for doling out street justice in the crime-riddled subway system.
—Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
But if Fergie is indeed doling out advice, there’s got to be a reason, right?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 June 2026
The younger Hooper has been a rising TikTok star for his short videos doling out life advice based on his own experiences and insights.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
Vigilantes doling out justice in Hell’s Kitchen, steamy romances in the English countryside, and cowboys just trying to hang onto the ranch – again.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Midwest states also enjoy doling out tax breaks to lure data centers, which offer meaningful construction trades jobs.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Since Lover, Swift has come and gone with relative ease, doling out generous portions of concerts and documentaries and behind-the-scenes looks and then going away for months at a time.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
Heather McCambly, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
The awards came shortly thereafter, doling out the first accolades in 1991.
—Carly Westerfield, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026
In the wake of the shooting, many New Yorkers anointed him a hero for doling out street justice in the crime-riddled subway system.
—Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
But if Fergie is indeed doling out advice, there’s got to be a reason, right?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 June 2026
The younger Hooper has been a rising TikTok star for his short videos doling out life advice based on his own experiences and insights.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
Vigilantes doling out justice in Hell’s Kitchen, steamy romances in the English countryside, and cowboys just trying to hang onto the ranch – again.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Midwest states also enjoy doling out tax breaks to lure data centers, which offer meaningful construction trades jobs.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Since Lover, Swift has come and gone with relative ease, doling out generous portions of concerts and documentaries and behind-the-scenes looks and then going away for months at a time.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doling out
Verb
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The service has allowed some community building to develop, from distributing food or participating in World Cup collectible sticker books.—
Amna Subhan for the AJC,
AJC.com,
11 June 2026
-
But before taking the field at PNC Park against the Dodgers Tuesday night, some of the team spent the afternoon at Pittsburgh Arsenal in Lawrenceville, meeting students and staff and distributing boxes of food.—
Josh Taylor,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Inside, Hruskova presided over chats with sisterly energy, dispensing reassurance, pep talks, and relationship tips.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
-
Absolutely Fabulous star Kathy Burke will discuss wellness, before the final episode sees Guz Khan dispensing nuggets of advice on conspiracy theories, wealth and other life matters.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The five were handing out reprints of the editorial outside a room where NIH director Jay Bhattacharya had been scheduled to speak.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2026
-
Plus, an on-site bookmobile will be handing out free books.—
Laura Daily,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Once your baby arrives, preventive steps include ensuring a healthy skin barrier to prevent easy access for triggers to enter the body and providing effective allergy care to reduce the risk of asthma developing.—
Dr. Daniel DiGiacomo,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
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Maintaining proper moisture and providing well-draining soil are essential to avoiding these diseases.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
In Topawa, guests visit the Tohono O’odham Cultural Center to learn how the desert’s original stewards have flourished for millennia despite the modern line dividing their ancestral lands.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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Today’s wealthy are increasingly dividing their fortunes between multiple advisors based on their specialties, rather than relying on one or two trusted firms.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Verb
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These features help give you an idea of your most up-to-date financial status without spending much time manually logging information or allocating every dollar.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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The new entity–which encompasses 25 investment companies and platforms and over 250 group subsidiaries–will expand its global footprint by allocating capital across public and private markets.—
Melissa Hancock,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Doling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doling%20out. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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