Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb dispense

3 senses of dispense

Sense 1
distribute, administer, mete out, deal, parcel out, lot, dispense, shell out, deal out, dish out, allot, dole out -- (administer or bestow, as in small portions; "administer critical remarks to everyone present"; "dole out some money"; "shell out pocket money for the children"; "deal a blow to someone"; "the machine dispenses soft drinks")
       => give -- (transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody; "I gave her my money"; "can you give me lessons?"; "She gave the children lots of love and tender loving care")

Sense 2
dispense -- (grant a dispensation; grant an exemption; "I was dispensed from this terrible task")
       => exempt, relieve, free -- (grant relief or an exemption from a rule or requirement to; "She exempted me from the exam")
          Phrasal Verb-> dispense with#2

Sense 3
administer, dispense -- (give or apply (medications))
       => treat, care for -- (provide treatment for; "The doctor treated my broken leg"; "The nurses cared for the bomb victims"; "The patient must be treated right away or she will die"; "Treat the infection with antibiotics")