dole out

Some common synonyms of dole out are deal, dispense, distribute, and divide. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

The words deal and dole out are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

The words dispense and dole out can be used in similar contexts, but dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.

While in some cases nearly identical to dole out, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

Although the words divide and dole out have much in common, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.