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Definitions

dispense

[dih-spens] / dɪˈspɛns /
VERB
dole out supply
Synonyms
STRONGEST
allocate allot disburse distribute furnish give away hand out
STRONG
apportion assign deal divide give lot measure partition portion prepare prorate share
WEAK
come across with deal out dish out divvy fork out give with hand over mete out shell out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conceal hide hoard hold keep retain secret
STRONG
attach collect combine disorganize gather join unite withhold
WEAK
receive take
VERB
operate, administer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apply discharge enforce
STRONG
command direct execute handle implement manage maneuver manipulate swing undertake wield
WEAK
carry out
Antonyms
STRONG
disregard fail forget leave alone mismanage neglect
WEAK
receive take
VERB
exempt from responsibility
Synonyms
STRONGEST
discharge
STRONG
absolve except excuse exonerate release relieve reprieve spare
WEAK
let off privilege from
Antonyms
STRONG
accuse blame charge condemn hold incriminate sentence
WEAK
receive take

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The FDA’s road to regulating compounding pharmacies — and by extension the peptides they seek to dispense — has been long and tedious.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

The new feature can dispense personalized healthcare advice that’s informed by medical records and personal health data, if users choose to upload them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Welcome to “Comedy & ‘Therapy,’ ” a monthly event at the cafe Coffee Confessionals, in which comedians on stage dispense advice to audience members in the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Japanese researchers have unveiled a robot monk powered by AI that they say can dispense spiritual advice, and which could one day ease shortages of its human counterparts.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Rush set the terms for what became a high-stakes game of honesty by proposing that they dispense with the usual topics and report to each other on their respective dreams.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis