DOLING OUT Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

doling out

verb

present participle of dole out

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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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 doling out Kim can allay some frustrations by doling out luxury apartments, promotions, and access to extravagant lifestyles. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026 Meet Bears of Anan Creek The United StatesThe Forest Service team at Tongass National Forest are currently doling out the Anan Bear Awards to the 39 bears spotted at the Anan Wildlife Observatory in Tongass National Forest. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Oct. 2026 To mark 42 years of doling out deals, the rapidly-expanding big box store is marking down a whole bunch of items by the very appropriate amount of 42%. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2026 In context of supination, this means minimizing the possibility of injuries; doling out a smoother, plusher ride; and kicking underpronation’s common side effects (think plantar fasciitis, ankle pain, and shin splints) to the curb. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 The investigation in Loretto was sparked after the West Side safety net hospital came under fire for improperly doling out COVID-19 vaccinations soon after the shots became available. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 The White House has continued doling out tariffs despite the ruling. — Kevin Breuninger,jeff Cox, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026 Straight Talk As a radio-show therapist doling out wisdom in 1992’s Straight Talk, Parton brought a lot of her own experiences to the big screen. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 The Dodgers, to their credit, have built a great team—not only by doling out huge salaries but by building an élite development program. — Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for doling out

Verb

Indian regulators ordered Sun Pharmaceutical to stop manufacturing, selling and distributing ophthalmic products made at its Assam facility after finding failure in its quality management system, Reuters reported.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 30 Oct. 2026
States and the National Guard already mostly handle the nuts and bolts of clearing debris, making rescues, distributing food and water and so on.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of distributing

Verb

Multiple bulk containers of sauces and dips in walk-in cooler nearest back loading area have unhandled utensils present in product for dispensing.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Artist Caro Yanez is bridging that gap for Charlotte creators with a new micro-gallery dispensing local artwork instead of potato chips.

— Chase Jordan October 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of dispensing

Verb

If state Senate and House candidates are not on the ballot in various districts, an entire army of volunteers and supporters will not be knocking on doors and handing out fliers for those local candidates and other Republicans on the ballot.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 29 Oct. 2026
Bonci said at her household, her family will be handing out chocolate, because no one wants to go to the dietitian's house and get a baby carrot.

— John Shumway, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of handing out

Verb

It can also be used during short daytime naps, providing real-time acoustic guidance during sleep onset.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026
With online servers providing the structure for a living and evolving universe where players fought, traded, and created empires from scratch, its limited visual presentation was no issue.

— Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of providing

Verb

Under this concept, armed forces aim to coordinate multiple VICTOR drones into autonomous swarms capable of dividing surveillance, reconnaissance, and transport missions in real time.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
James, always an exacting rhythmic engineer, was now dividing the beat into fragments tiny enough to push at the very edge of rhythm itself.

— Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of dividing

Verb

What if our representatives in Washington spent less time trading securities and more time allocating resources to fight against cancer and other diseases?

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
After allocating about 8% of GDP to NEOM, once contract cancellations are included, the government has admitted a costly defeat.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of allocating

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doles out

doling out

doll

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“Doling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doling%20out. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of doling out

verb

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