dispense

/dɪsˈpɛns/

Group 21Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(verb)
To distribute or provide a service; to manage without or get rid of
GRE

Example in Context

The new protocol dispensed with several layers of approval that had previously slowed the response to emergency situations.

Synonyms

give outdistributeprovide

Etymology

To weigh out or distribute apart from a central source.

  • dis- (Latin) — apart
  • pendere (Latin) — to weigh

Memory Aid

🖊️Sounds like “this pen's

Imagine a magic pen that DIS-PENSES ink like a fountain, making THIS PEN'S ink flow like a river!

Visual Association

🎁A magician pulling endless gifts from a hat, dispersing joy as he DIS-PENSES them to a cheering crowd.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “dispense” mean on the GRE?

dispense (verb) means “To distribute or provide a service; to manage without or get rid of”. The new protocol dispensed with several layers of approval that had previously slowed the response to emergency situations.

How to remember “dispense” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “dispense” sounds like “this pen's”. Imagine a magic pen that DIS-PENSES ink like a fountain, making THIS PEN'S ink flow like a river!

What are synonyms for “dispense”?

Common synonyms: give out, distribute, provide.