deal 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of dealnext
as in ton
a considerable amount there is a great deal of waste in government

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deal

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
as in agreement
an arrangement about action to be taken we made a deal to cooperate on the next assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in sale
the transfer of ownership of something from one person to another for a price we closed the deal for the house last week

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in contract
a formal agreement to fulfill an obligation if the other party backs out of the deal after it's signed, you can sue

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in situation
position with regard to conditions and circumstances we don't yet know what the deal is with the new manager

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in bargain
something bought or offered for sale at a desirable price that mail-order sweater isn't such a great deal after you factor in the cost of shipping and handling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deal

3 of 3

verb

ˈdēl How to pronounce deal (audio)
1
as in to trade
to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property that store deals in used furniture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to negotiate
to talk over or dispute the terms of a purchase you're going to have to learn how to deal if you want to buy a car at a fair price

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deal are dispense, distribute, divide, and dole out. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When could dispense be used to replace deal?

In some situations, the words dispense and deal are roughly equivalent. However, dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.

dispensed wisdom to the students

When is distribute a more appropriate choice than deal?

Although the words distribute and deal have much in common, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When can divide be used instead of deal?

The words divide and deal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When is it sensible to use dole out instead of deal?

The synonyms dole out and deal are sometimes interchangeable, but dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

How does the verb deal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deal are dispense, distribute, divide, and dole out. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When could dispense be used to replace deal?

In some situations, the words dispense and deal are roughly equivalent. However, dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.

dispensed wisdom to the students

When is distribute a more appropriate choice than deal?

Although the words distribute and deal have much in common, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When can divide be used instead of deal?

The words divide and deal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When is it sensible to use dole out instead of deal?

The synonyms dole out and deal are sometimes interchangeable, but dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

How does the verb deal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deal are dispense, distribute, divide, and dole out. While all these words mean "to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group," deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece.

deal out equipment and supplies

When could dispense be used to replace deal?

In some situations, the words dispense and deal are roughly equivalent. However, dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.

dispensed wisdom to the students

When is distribute a more appropriate choice than deal?

Although the words distribute and deal have much in common, distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts.

distributed food to the needy

When can divide be used instead of deal?

The words divide and deal are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal.

three charitable groups divided the proceeds

When is it sensible to use dole out instead of deal?

The synonyms dole out and deal are sometimes interchangeable, but dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply.

doled out what little food there was

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 deal
Noun
Kyle Potter, editor of Thrifty Traveler, a travel and flight deal website, recently told me. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026 Barker also recently inked a deal to reinvent The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for A24. —Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
If the judge rules in favor of Musk, OpenAI’s business could be dealt a significant blow, opening the door to other AI industry rivals like Musk’s xAI. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026 The shock announcement dealt a blow to the cartel that coordinates production among many of the world's largest oil producers, particularly those in the Middle East. —Chloe Taylor,hugh Leask,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deal
  1. trade
  2. negotiate
  3. sell
  4. bargain
Verb
  • The strategy also is open to criticism, especially after the Steelers spent most of Day 3 adding special-teams players — why not trade some of that Day 3 draft capital to jump up and secure Lemon like the Eagles did (Philly traded two fourth-rounders to move up three spots)?
    — Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Of course, the latter pick came over from Denver when the Dolphins trade Jaylen Waddle.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of trade
Verb
  • Despite attempts to negotiate the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening during an ongoing ceasefire, the narrow waterway remains shut to virtually all ship traffic.
    — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Olthof Homes successfully challenged a $100,000 penalty levied by the town in the Indiana Court of Appeals, so a lower fine was negotiated between the two parties.
    — Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of negotiate
Verb
  • Introduced in the 1970s, Roundup quickly became the top-selling herbicide in the United States and integral to farming.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • So was the Biden administration’s decision to block Nvidia from selling its most advanced AI chips to China in 2022.
    — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of sell
Verb
  • There is an obligation under labor law to bargain over changes to employment during the term of the agreement.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
  • One way to prevent these kinds of cases is for eligibility rules to be collectively bargained with a college athletes’ union or unions.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of bargain

Phrases Containing deal

Browse Nearby Words

deaf to reason
deal
dealer
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Cite this Entry

“Deal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deal. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deal

Nglish: Translation of deal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deal

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