Synonyms for distribute
verb
To allot
dispense, divide, share, deal, dole, bestow, issue, endow, dispose, disperse, circulate, mete out, pass out, parcel out, dole out, hand out, pay out, disburse, administer, give away, assign, allocate, ration, measure out, apportion, consign, prorate, appropriate, dish out*, divvy up*, cut the pie*; see also give 1.
Antonyms hold*, keep, preserve.
To scatter
spread, sow, disseminate, diffuse; see scatter 1, 2.
To classify
categorize, group, file; see classify, order 3.
distribute implies a dealing out of portions or a spreading about of units among a number of recipients to distribute leaflets; dispense suggests the careful measuring out of that which is distributed to dispense drugs; divide suggests separation of a whole into parts to be shared an inheritance divided among five children; dole implies a measured distribution of money, food, favor, etc. in a charitable or in a sparing or niggardly manner
See distribute in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Synonyms
distribute divide dispense dole 1deal 1ration
These verbs mean to give out in portions or shares. Distribute is the least specific: The government distributed land to settlers.
Divide implies giving out portions, often equal, on the basis of a plan or purpose: The estate will be divided among the heirs.
Dispense stresses the careful determination of portions, often according to measurement or weight: The pharmacist dispensed the medication.
Dole, often followed by out, implies careful, usually sparing measurement of portions. It can refer to the distribution of charity: The city doled out surplus milk to the needy.
It can also suggest lack of generosity: The professor doled out meager praise to the students.
Deal implies orderly, equitable distribution, often piece by piece: I dealt five cards to each player.
Ration refers to equitable division in limited portions of scarce, often necessary, items: The government rationed fuel during the war.
See distribute in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
verb
To give out in portions or shares:
deal (out), dispense, divide, dole out, parcel out, portion (out), ration (out), share. (Slang) divvy. See collectTo pass (something) out:
circulate, disperse, disseminate, hand out. See collectTo extend over a wide area:
circulate, diffuse, disperse, disseminate, radiate, scatter, spread, strew. See move, wideTo assign to a class or classes:
categorize, class, classify, grade, group, pigeonhole, place, range, rank1, rate1. See group, value
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