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 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 Palmer himself paced the room on a phone call, doling out smiles of encouragement and inspiring a hushed reverence in his wake. — Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 20 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 Online, influencers in the looksmaxxing space have leveraged other men's insecurities to enormous fame while doling out aesthetic advice with little, if any, credentials. — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 While other kids his age were doling out loot bags stuffed with Bazooka bubble gum and slap bracelets, Lovett was recording his favorite music on cassette tapes as party favors. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for doling out

Verb

Vertical is distributing the Depression-era film, in which Hawke plays a widower who is separated from his daughter when he gets sent to a brutal work camp.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
Nepali lawmakers have slammed the administration over bureaucratic delays in distributing resources after the floods, including medical equipment and staffing of medical facilities.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of distributing

Verb

Prescribing, dispensing and enabling the sale of retatrutide — which is still in clinical trials — violate those standards.

— Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
The state is challenging the FDA's decision to remove the in-person dispensing requirement, citing states' rights and patient safety concerns.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of dispensing

Verb

And then the show was off the races, handing out awards at an impressive pace.

— Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
City had only won once at the home of their rivals in the past four visits, having become used to turning up and handing out a drubbing for the bulk of the Guardiola era.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of handing out

Verb

Security’s role now includes providing the authority and information that let the right person decide in minutes, not hours.

— Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
That copying, by providing a way to reproduce and evolve, could have then kicked off the beginning of life.

— Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of providing

Verb

With three points, three cuts can be made, thus dividing the surface into four.

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
In its place arose far-right movements in Western Europe and North America dedicated to dividing the world into racial and cultural blocs, divisions often defended in the language of the struggle against terrorism and Islam.

— Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of dividing

Verb

That type of short-term control is what Uber reportedly invoked, allocating $1,500 per user per month, mainly for coding assistants.

— Chris Stegh, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Chicago helped pioneer the modern listing marketplace that has led to enormous gains in allocating houses efficiently.

— Tomas J. Philipson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of doling out

verb

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