dismiss

American  

[dis-mis] / dɪsˈmɪs /

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 British  

/ 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

Related Words

See release.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of dismiss

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”

Example Sentences

The government filed a motion to dismiss the case late last year, arguing that the federal court did not have jurisdiction over the matter.

From Salon

Election experts, voting rights advocates, local elections officials and other California leaders have all dismissed those claims as unfounded and inaccurate.

From Los Angeles Times

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that a source within the Bulls organization said the decision to dismiss Ivey didn’t stem from one incident but rather from an accumulation of posts and comments that started in February.

From Los Angeles Times

Then in January, Ye took out a full-page advert in the Wall Street Journal where he shared details about his bipolar type-1 diagnosis, which he had previously dismissed.

From BBC

Pitchford said it was a real blow to be told he was not eligible because he was not "dismissed or discharged", although he said he was pressured into leaving.

From BBC

Related Words

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