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

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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

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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

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
However, as the clock ticked past 11pm, the Camara deal was suddenly off. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 There are, at the same time, some substantial differences between the Justice Department’s AT&T-Time Warner litigation and the state attorney generals’ lawsuit against the Paramount-WBD deal. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
The source said the Pelicans tried to acquire him before the trade deadline in February, when the Pacers dealt him to the Clippers instead. — William Guillory, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The set further deals her first Top Latin Rhythm Albums entry in nearly seven years, since Mala Santa in 2019. — Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deal
  1. ton
  2. agreement
  3. sale
  4. contract
  5. situation
  6. bargain
  7. trade
  8. negotiate
Noun
  • One of the rentable rooms is the bank vault, which still has its six-ton door and reinforced concrete walls.
    — Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, the Swiss village of Blatten was completely buried after a glacier collapsed, sending millions of tons of ice and rock down mountainside.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of ton
Noun
  • The industry expectation is that there will be a lockout come December and that the sides won’t be able to reach an agreement until the spring at the earliest.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Cloud service agreements totaled $29 billion, with data center leases not commenced of $25 billion, equity investments of $25 billion, and capital expenditures of $8 billion.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of agreement
Noun
  • The Nordic Co-Production Market brings together Nordic and international producers, financiers, distributors and sales agents around projects in development.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • At the time of the sale to SNR in 2024, Grieco became the company’s chief executive officer, and Herning exited the business.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sale
Noun
  • This is a massive season for a fourth-year player who could be in line for a hefty second contract.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Summary The Philadelphia Phillies dramatically cut Nick Castellanos before the season, despite his significant contract and a key role in their 2022 World Series appearance.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of contract
Noun
  • The Samuels’ run, however, was the spark that lit the fuse after the Caravan was denied on a fourth-and-short situation on its opening possession.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Fed policy uncertainty, the Middle East situation, and an earnings season burdened with high expectations could all act as catalysts for fresh turbulence.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of situation
Noun
  • Higgins was also there in person to witness the bargain go down and the specific number — 10 — of dates reached.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With companies in the SOX growing forward earnings per share at an annual rate of about 70%, Arya thinks the SOX multiple looks like a bargain.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of bargain
Verb
  • High-Flyer traded Unitree as an investable asset, while DeepSeek invested in the humanoid robot maker as a strategic partner, said Hutong Research tech analyst Sigrid Wang.
    — Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But mapping out who was trading with whom is another, and much more complicated, puzzle entirely, one that is going to require a lot more archaeological evidence.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of trade
Verb
  • The deal was negotiated by Steven Bestwick of The Yellow Affair and Bill Guentzler and RJ Millard on behalf of Obscured Releasing.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • If the lockout does go through all of 2027, do players not accrue any service time or will that be something that is negotiated/resolved when a deal is ultimately reached?
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of negotiate

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 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about deal

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