dole

noun

ˈdōl How to pronounce dole (audio)
Definition of dolenext
as in philanthropy
the giving of necessities and especially money to the needy a millionaire who was known for his annual Christmas dole to needy-looking strangers he met on the street

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example 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 dole Residents also grew frustrated, as migrants reluctantly snared in endless court proceedings appeared to be gaming the system and living off the taxpayers’ dole. — Julia Preston, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2024 The author of that piece criticized the Social Security Administration for not updating a listing of jobs that benefit applicants might be able to do instead of going on the government dole collecting disability benefits. — Tom Margenau, Dallas News, 29 Jan. 2023 As recently as 2017, a dole of about 100 baby loggerhead turtles emerged from their eggs and began their journey from the sand to the sea on Assateague Island National Seashore. — Kristian Jaime, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2022 As with other American officials feted in Azerbaijan on the regime’s dole, Cuellar routinely stumped for Azeri oil interests—helping the regime profit that much further. — Casey Michel, The New Republic, 26 Jan. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dole
  1. philanthropy
  2. charity
  3. welfare
Noun
  • So their logic behind splitting their philanthropy into three is to put decision-making about donations closer to the people doing the work.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The event raised funds while celebrating four decades of philanthropy.
    — Valentine Ulgu-Servant, Vanity Fair, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of philanthropy
Noun
  • The Federal Trade Commission recommends donating to organizations people already know and trust and researching unfamiliar charities before sending money.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The billionaire philanthropist, novelist, and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has doled out more than $26 billion to charity during the past few years, but has done so without much fanfare.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of charity
Noun
  • Animal welfare organizations will assist with monthly Skid Row clinics that provide spay-and-neuter services, vaccinations, microchipping, and more.
    — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Parks worker, Joshua Moe, 24, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and reckless endangerment after the child lost parts of her fingers on her left hand when the firework went off Tuesday evening, police said.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of welfare

Phrases Containing dole

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doldrums
dole
doled out
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Cite this Entry

“Dole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dole. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dole

Nglish: Translation of dole for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dole

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