DISPENSE Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'dispense' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dispense are deal , distribute , divide , and dole out . While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," 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 'deal' be a reasonable alternative to 'dispense'?

While the synonyms deal and dispense are close in meaning, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece. // deal out equipment and supplies

Q: When can 'distribute' be used instead of 'dispense'?

In some situations, the words distribute and dispense are roughly equivalent. However, 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 'dispense'?

The words divide and dispense can be used in similar contexts, but divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal. // three charitable groups divided the proceeds

Q: When is 'dole out' a more appropriate choice than 'dispense'?

The words dole out and dispense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply. // doled out what little food there was

dispense

verb

di-ˈspen(t)s

Definition of dispense next

as in to distribute

to give out (something) to appropriate individuals a conscientious pharmacist never dispenses pills to people without assurances that they understand the instructions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dispense differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dispense are deal, distribute, divide, and dole out. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," 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 deal be a reasonable alternative to dispense?

While the synonyms deal and dispense are close in meaning, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When can distribute be used instead of dispense?

In some situations, the words distribute and dispense are roughly equivalent. However, 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 dispense?

The words divide and dispense can be used in similar contexts, but divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When is dole out a more appropriate choice than dispense?

The words dole out and dispense are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

Examples 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 dispense By the numbers: Rhode Island (67.8%), Massachusetts (48%) and New Jersey (35.8%) saw the largest year-over-year growth in prescriptions dispensed between 2023 and 2024. —

Tina Reed, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025 That trade group represents compounding pharmacies and hybrid pharmacies that also dispense regular drug prescriptions. —

Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024 Gi-hun Hasn’t Killed Anyone Once the rules and nature of the Game revealed themselves, plenty of players were content to dispense with societal decorum and start fully murdering each other to level the playing field. —

Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 20 Dec. 2024 Fears fed by decades of sectarian propaganda won’t dissipate all at once, but the new government can help assuage them by holding rebel groups accountable and ensuring that justice is dispensed by lawmakers rather than by armed groups with scores to settle. —

Loubna Mrie, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dispense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispense

Verb

Volunteers distribute water and other supplies at the Westwood Recreation Center on Thursday.

Angela Yang, NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025
On Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. the district will distribute pre-packaged meals at 16 sites for students.

Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025