dismiss

[ dis-mis ]

verb (used with object)

1. to direct (an assembly of persons) to disperse or go:

   I dismissed the class early.

2. to bid or allow (a person) to go; give permission or a request to depart.

   Antonyms: recall

3. to discharge or remove, as from office or service:

   to dismiss an employee.

   Synonyms: fire

   Antonyms: hire

4. to discard or reject:

   to dismiss a suitor.

   Antonyms: accept

5. to put off or away, especially from consideration; put aside; reject:

   She dismissed the story as mere rumor.

6. to have done with (a subject) after summary treatment:

   After a perfunctory discussion, he dismissed the idea.

7. Law. to put out of court, as a complaint or appeal.

dismiss

/ dɪsˈmɪs /

verb

1. to remove or discharge from employment or service
2. to send away or allow to go or disperse
3. to dispel from one's mind; discard; reject
4. to cease to consider (a subject)

   they dismissed the problem

5. to decline further hearing to (a claim or action)

   the judge dismissed the case

6. cricket to bowl out (a side) for a particular number of runs

sentence substitute

1. military an order to end an activity or give permission to disperse

Derived Forms

• disˈmissible, adjective
• disˈmissive, adjective

Other Words From

• dis·missi·ble adjective
• predis·miss verb (used with object)
• redis·miss verb (used with object)
• undis·missed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismiss¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin dismissus, from Latin dīmissus “sent away,” past participle of dīmittere “to send away,” from Latin dī, variant of dis- dis- ¹ + mitt(ere) “to let go, send”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismiss¹

C15: from Medieval Latin dismissus sent away, variant of Latin dīmissus, from dīmittere, from dī- dis- ¹+ mittere to send

Synonym Study

See release.

Example Sentences

If the Senate doesn’t dismiss Gabbard’s nomination as an insult to the enterprise of intelligence gathering and analysis, then we are in serious trouble as a nation.

From Slate

The city has also sought to dismiss the suit entirely.

From Los Angeles Times

He might dismiss Guillermo, the household’s human companion, as worthless, but when old Gizmo needed to trust someone with a potentially deadly secret, Laszlo kept it for him.

From Salon

Kamala Harris' former communications director Jamal Simmons has a wild suggestion that CNN's "State of the Union" hosts can only laugh at and dismiss.

From Salon

They managed a further 65 runs in the last 5.2 overs after the eighth wicket fell, with number 10 Gukadesh Motie, who later produced the stunning catch to dismiss Buttler, flogging 33 from 14 balls.

From BBC

Related Words

• depose
• discharge
• disqualify
• fire
• impeach
• let go
• oust
• recall
• retire
• sack
• suspend
• terminate