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

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

Other Word Forms

• dismissible adjective
• predismiss verb (used with object)
• redismiss verb (used with object)
• undismissed adjective
• dismissive 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

A federal judge dismissed the case, saying research from the parents' expert witnesses was not conclusive.

Read more on BBC

Tesla and SpaceX are among the companies that have transformed their industries by solving engineering problems that were dismissed as too hard and consolidating control of the entire manufacturing process.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If they complete that service and obey the law, the charges will be dismissed in October 2026, said Colleen Flynn, the protesters’ attorney.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"He was just dismissed as a bit of a druggie, and his mental health was never looked at in any seriousness."

Read more on BBC

Security workers who say they were suddenly dismissed from their jobs at an asylum seeker accommodation centre have described conditions at the site.

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Related Words

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