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 next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 And that the punishment won’t be doled out equally or do anything to deter crime. —

Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025 Driving the news: The Fusion Industry Association is pushing the Hill to dole out nearly $10 billion over five years to various fusion programs in reconciliation, CEO Andrew Holland told Axios. —

Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025 The use of executive power to curtail federal spending came to the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1970s when President Richard Nixon ordered the Environmental Protection Agency not to dole out funding for various programs, including water treatment. —

Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2025 But doling out a steady supply of tasty snacks will keep them going—happily! —

Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Outside Online, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dole out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole out

Verb

The food bank will help distribute 270,000 eggs to support families affected by the wildfires; another 54,000 eggs will go to Gather For Good, which works with restaurant owners, chefs, farmers and others in the service industry to prepare meals for first responders and others across the LA area.

— Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Tickets go on sale this Friday, Feb. 14, for Season 5, which is distributed in the U.S. by Fathom.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025