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

The Giants have made a couple of significant player investments this offseason, signing shortstop Willy Adames to the largest contract in franchise history (seven years, $182 million) and doling out $15 million to add Verlander to their rotation. —Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 30 Jan. 2025

There are several Colombian restaurants in Miami, doling out classics like tamales, bandeja paisa and ajiaco. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, after the 15-year, $765 million spurge on Soto, Stearns has been content to dole out only short term contracts to fill the Mets needs: Jose Quintana and Luis Severino have been replaced in the starting rotation by Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas — on the surface hardly an upgrade. —Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025

The buyer, identified as billionaire mining magnate Robert Friedland, doled out $96 million for the side-by-side properties, which include a Tuscan-style mansion and a vacant plot next door with a private path that leads directly down to the beach. 6. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1