DOLE (OUT) Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'dole out' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dole out are deal , dispense , distribute , and divide . While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply. // doled out what little food there was

Q: When is 'deal' a more appropriate choice than 'dole out'?

The words deal and dole out are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece. // deal out equipment and supplies

Q: When might 'dispense' be a better fit than 'dole out'?

The words dispense and dole out can be used in similar contexts, but dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need. // dispensed wisdom to the students

Q: Where would 'distribute' be a reasonable alternative to 'dole out'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dole out , distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts. // distributed food to the needy

Q: When would 'divide' be a good substitute for 'dole out'?

Although the words divide and dole out have much in common, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal. // three charitable groups divided the proceeds

dole out

verb

Definition of dole out

as in to distribute

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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How does the verb dole out differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dole out are deal, dispense, distribute, and divide. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

When is deal a more appropriate choice than dole out?

The words deal and dole out are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When might dispense be a better fit than dole out?

The words dispense and dole out can be used in similar contexts, but dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.

dispensed wisdom to the students

Where would distribute be a reasonable alternative to dole out?

While in some cases nearly identical to dole out, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When would divide be a good substitute for dole out?

Although the words divide and dole out have much in common, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

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 dole out America’s democracy does not exist to dole out power to political parties. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026 The expectation for higher spending could be contributed to current inflationary pricing as shoppers prepare to dole out more money due to higher costs. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026 Speaking of awards, Denver Film will dole out a few during the fest’s run. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2026 The funding comes from the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) and is distributed to each borough’s arts councils, which act as regrant partners and dole out grants to individual artists annually as part of an open call. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dole out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out

Verb

Major Player Last year, BBC Studios teamed with CosmoBlue to distribute channels and launch a new general entertainment network across the Middle East and North Africa regions and Turkey.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
That came after the company distributed about 471 million warrants giving holders of Paramount Skydance’s PSKY Class B shares the option to purchase stock in the new company for $12/share.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of distribute

Verb

Oscar-winning actress Jessie Buckley and Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie handed out this year’s BFI & Chanel Filmmaker Awards during an opulent ceremony at London’s Claridge’s Hotel on Wednesday.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
The awards were handed out tonight at an imposing ceremony at Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Odeon cinema.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of hand out

Verb

There are obviously endless options for how the money could be allocated.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
For some young investors, that means money originally allocated to long-term strategies is being funneled to activities built around immediate outcomes.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of allocate

Verb

In the case of Yemen, the ground fighters inside the country who are taking on the Houthis are deeply divided and fought each other as recently as January.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Forty years ago, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met at Höfði House, representing rival nuclear superpowers divided by decades of distrust.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of divide

Browse Nearby Words

dolefulness

dole out

doles

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“Dole out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dole%20out. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dole out

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