doles out

VERB

allocate, distribute

Synonyms

WEAK

administer allot apportion assign deal deal out dispense disperse divide divvy give hand out lot measure mete mete out parcel partition share share out

Antonyms

WEAK

collect gather hoard hold

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.

Audience members are naturally Bacharach fans, and the show, which runs about two hours with an intermission, doles out the great hits lavishly, beginning with all three singers performing “Always Something There to Remind Me.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

“Jean-Baptiste plays a woman who doles out misery and also, crucially, internalizes it, giving the character a humanity and sadness that’s absolutely transcendent,” says Glenn Whipp.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

Injuries are often taken into consideration when the NHL’s Department of Player Safety doles out punishments.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 5, 2024

Another was to the formula that doles out federal aid, which was made in part to offer more help to lower-income students.

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2024

Her slender brown arms wave about like wings as she doles out every command.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton