dole out

verb

doled out; doling out; doles out

transitive verb

1

: to give or deliver in small portions

2

: dish out

Synonyms

• administer
• allocate
• apportion
• deal (out)
• dispense
• distribute
• hand out
• mete (out)
• parcel (out)
• portion
• prorate

Choose the Right Synonym for dole out

distribute, dispense, divide, deal, dole out mean to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group.

distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

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

divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

Examples of dole out in a Sentence

she doles out office supplies as if she were paying for them out of her own pocket

Recent Examples on the Web

One half of the scheme would automatically dole out relief to current borrowers whom ED believes are likely to default on their loans. —Preston Cooper, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Held at the Fairmont Century Plaza, the event will see lifetime achievement awards doled out to Robinson, a music legend who was the founder and frontman of the pioneering Motown vocal group the Miracles, and Sunshine, a veteran public relations executive, strategist and political activist. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024

However, those without significant funds to dole out to campaigns do not represent most of the MAGA base. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

During the pandemic, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services doled out $7.6 billion between mid-2020 and mid-2021. —Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1