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

Justice Minister Joseph Geng Akech dismissed the findings and attributed South Sudan's economic problems to conflict, climate change and falling sales of crude oil.

From BBC

Hamas dismissed his words in a statement on Tuesday, saying Netanyahu bears “full responsibility” for the hostages’ lives, and that the U.S. used a “policy of deception” to cover up Israeli “war crimes.”

From Los Angeles Times

JLR has dismissed reports that the operational impact of the attack may continue for weeks or months as "speculation".

From BBC

They’re dismissing those who attend as deluded cultists, hardening hearts on each side even more.

From Los Angeles Times

It is tempting to dismiss political violence as a leftover from some “primitive” or “frontier” stage of American history, when politicians and their supporters supposedly lacked restraint or higher moral standards.

From Salon

Related Words

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