verb
mete
MEET/mˈit/
To give out an allotted amount, especially of punishment.
The referee metes out a yellow card for the shirt-pulling foul.
Etymology
Measuring developed into distributing something in measured portions. In “mete out punishment or justice,” that apportioning sense survives: what is given out is a penalty or judgment rather than a physical quantity.
In context
Today, though, in the interest of being civilized, we tend to mete out the pain in terms of incarceration and fines, rather than straight-up tit-for-tat.
More examples
- The committee meted out penalties for repeated safety violations.
- She metes out praise sparingly, so her compliments mean a lot.
- The coach is meting out extra laps for missed practice.
Forms
mete · metes · meted · meting
Similar words
- allot
- Emphasizes assigning shares or portions, without suggesting punishment.
- administer
- Emphasizes applying punishment or treatment rather than determining portions.
- dispense
- Covers giving out supplies, advice, or justice more broadly.