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
The Sanseito party tapped into these frustrations on the campaign trail – doling out rhetoric that some critics called inflammatory and xenophobic.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Now through September 1, indulge in trending ballet flats, chunky heels, and boots that appeared on the feet of your favorite stars and are sure to power every last one of your upcoming getups — doling out all-day comfort that will put your feet, and not only your wallet, at ease.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2025
Sure, Outlander or Blood of My Blood could pull some twisty time-travel shenanigans and make this happen, but this universe isn’t exactly known for doling out neat and tidy happily ever afters.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Those are just some of the bribes Manhattan prosecutors allege Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Mayor Adams’ longtime political confidante, pocketed over a years-long period in exchange for doling out government favors to her benefactors, like city contracts and expedited building permits.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
Federal guidelines for doling out water based on Lake Mead’s diminished current storage this year placed the river in what is known as a Tier 1 shortage, meaning Arizona is giving up about 30% of the Central Arizona Project’s normal supply, which equals 18% of the state’s share of the Colorado.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Now through September 1, indulge in trending ballet flats, chunky heels, and boots that appeared on the feet of your favorite stars and are sure to power every last one of your upcoming getups — doling out all-day comfort that will put your feet, and not only your wallet, at ease.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2025
Sure, Outlander or Blood of My Blood could pull some twisty time-travel shenanigans and make this happen, but this universe isn’t exactly known for doling out neat and tidy happily ever afters.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Those are just some of the bribes Manhattan prosecutors allege Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Mayor Adams’ longtime political confidante, pocketed over a years-long period in exchange for doling out government favors to her benefactors, like city contracts and expedited building permits.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
Federal guidelines for doling out water based on Lake Mead’s diminished current storage this year placed the river in what is known as a Tier 1 shortage, meaning Arizona is giving up about 30% of the Central Arizona Project’s normal supply, which equals 18% of the state’s share of the Colorado.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doling out
Verb
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If National Public Radio had begun distributing Bibles and handguns, well, people would have wanted to talk and write about that, too.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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This is how Cintas Acuario was born in the late 1980s — a label that, without any formal facilities, gained a reputation thanks to its founder’s knack for promoting and marketing his artists’ music by distributing it to small shops in the area and in Tijuana, across the Mexican border.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Then hit the autofill button, and the nozzle lowers down to just over the rim of the glass and starts dispensing.—
PCMag Staff,
PC Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
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From interactive games to snuffle mats and treat-dispensing toys, there are plenty of puzzles out there on the market.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Rather than handing out lump sums, consider tying your generosity to meaningful milestones.—
Bob Sponseller,
The Enquirer,
26 Aug. 2025
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The president will emcee the Kennedy Center Honors this year, handing out awards to actor Sylvester Stallone, singers George Strait and Gloria Gaynor, Broadway star Michael Crawford and the rock band KISS.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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There are also fears that doctors in these practices may focus too much on keeping paying patients happy, rather than providing the best disease management or medical care, researchers said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
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Justice Defenders isn’t the only such program providing assistance to human rights defenders that was terminated because of the federal rollback.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The solution is to rejuvenate your plants every two to three years by digging and dividing the clump.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
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The main way to do that is by selling their tickets in virtually every state, rather than dividing up the country into different competing territories.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Washington alone can’t win a Senate race, but Democratic groups and leaders will be pivotal in allocating resources to Maine and flooding the airwaves against Collins.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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As a result, Apple is hedging its bet and allocating just 10% of its production for it, The Information reports.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doling out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doling%20out. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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