Synonyms of dole out

dole out

verb

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

• distribute
• dispense
• provide
• deal (out)
• hand out
• divide
• allocate
• portion
• supply
• administer
• parcel (out)
• mete (out)
• donate
• assign
• prorate
• share (out)
• apportion
• measure (out)
• share
• furnish
• split
• contribute
• issue
• proportion
• spread
• lot
• dish out
• allot
• admeasure
• appropriate
• redistribute
• circulate
• divvy (up)
• disseminate
• set
• part
• ration
• disburse
• chip in
• allow
• bestow
• dollop (out)
• pledge
• scatter
• disperse
• reallocate
• reapportion

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deprive (of)
• deny
• refuse
• reject
• withhold
• decline
• disallow
• misallocate
• begrudge
• stint
• pinch
• skimp
• niggle (out)

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

Recent Examples of dole out

The answer, which intrigued Stone, was that awards were often doled out to films for reasons beyond just their intrinsic merits. —Marc Tracy, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025

The couple doled out petite golden bee pins for all the guests to wear, People reports − Joan's inspiration and favorite animal. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025

Many analysts and fans were surprised that the Bengals would dole out that level of cash given owner Mike Brown’s reputation for being cheap. —Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 19 Mar. 2025

Aja Naomi King is doling out some inspiring words for her former How to Get Away with Murder castmate Viola Davis. —Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025