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 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 Cowboys owner Jerry Jones responded to the fine by saying the Cowboys would appeal but understood why it was doled out. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026 Nicholson said reforms to how the state doles out special education funding is one possible solution. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026 While some of those are doled out based on formulas such as population and crime rates, another bucket of them are competitively awarded. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dole out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out

Verb

Artists using the library to record, produce and distribute songs is not unheard of.

— Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Earlier this year, an open letter from agency leadership warned against using federal funds to buy harm reduction supplies like sterile syringes and pipes, or to distribute test strips for common drug supply contaminants.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of distribute

Verb

Staff are tuned-in and attentive, knowledgeable and efficient, without dispensing any of the sirs and ma’ams and stilted affections of fancier places.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Epstein was involved in figuring out ways to dispense a significant portion of that money.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of dispense

Verb

The bike also has a programmable control system that can provide functions such as boost, wheel-lift assistance, speed limiting and what Bonnell calls E-Clutch functionality (more on that later).

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Along with performances from Chappell Roan, Doechii and more, the festival provided a space where attendees could connect directly with the festival’s nonprofit partners and hear more about the issues and communities at the center of their work.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of provide

Verb

Employees handed out free reusable bags and welcomed residents in for the first time.

— Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Five trophies are handed out to women along with a grant to each honoree, a gift bestowed to their respective nonprofit organizations to help propel and support their work.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of hand out

Verb

Given the importance of capturing Druzhkivka, Russian forces have allocated significant drone resources to support operations in the area.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
In June, lawmakers approved a major expansion of the funding allocated each year to the state’s film and television tax credit program, moving to raise that cap to $750 million from $330 million.

— Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of allocate

Verb

The case has become a national cultural fixation and a social media spectacle, gripping and dividing spectators well beyond the Massachusetts courtroom where the 36-year-old mother is charged with killing her three young children.

— Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Essentially a form of computational fluid dynamics, the simulation divides the flow passages into a very large number of tiny regions and calculates things such as velocity, pressure, turbulence, and temperature throughout the component.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dole out

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