What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mete
Example
The judge will mete out a sentence for the crime committed. [mete: verb]
Example
The chef will carefully mete out the ingredients for the recipe. [mete: verb]
distribute
Example
The charity will distribute food and supplies to the needy families. [distribute: verb]
Example
The teacher will distribute the test papers to the students. [distribute: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distribute is more commonly used than mete in everyday language. Distribute is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mete is less common and refers to a specific type of action.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mete and distribute?
Both mete and distribute can be used in formal and informal contexts, but mete may be more formal due to its association with justice and punishment.