dole out

verb

doled out; doling out; doles out

Synonyms of dole out next

transitive verb

: to give or deliver in small portions

: dish out

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 Some companies have already signed up as award sponsors, led by Mexico’s venerable Estudios Churubusco doling out the main post-production award along with Latin American one-stop-shop, Labo. —

Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 7 Aug. 2024 The same organization doled out more than $9 million in support of Bell and opposing Bush. —

Nikole Killion, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2024 There are 90 days until the election and Kamala Harris has promised to announce Tuesday which white dude will be her running mate, doling out the honor with all the drama of the Bachelorette passing out a stay-or-go rose. —

Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024 The county was denied $950,000 in funding from the state's Criminal Justice Commission, which doles out deflection grants. —

Axios Portland, Axios, 6 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dole out

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dole out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of dole out was in 1749

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dole out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dole%20out. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

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Last Updated: 15 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences

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dole out

verb

Synonyms

Examples of dole out in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near dole out

Cite this Entry