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

Instead, after the retaliation caused farmers financial pain, the Trump administration used the Commodity Credit Corporation as a type of political fund and doled out up to $30 billion to farmers. —Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

The series, which blends a cooking show format with celebrity interviews, sees Meghan welcome guests to a replica of her Montecito, California estate and dole out tips on entertaining, baking and parenting. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025

Senate Democrats believe Martin’s conduct would erode public confidence if no discipline is doled out. —Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025

Trump said last month that some of the money would go to paying down the national debt and some could be doled out in checks to citizens. —Allison Morrow, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dole out

• roundabout
• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout