dismiss

[ dis-mis ]

/ dɪsˈmɪs /

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verb (used with object)

to direct (an assembly of persons) to disperse or go: I dismissed the class early.

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

to discharge or remove, as from office or service: to dismiss an employee.

to discard or reject: to dismiss a suitor.

to put off or away, especially from consideration; put aside; reject: She dismissed the story as mere rumor.

to have done with (a subject) after summary treatment: After a perfunctory discussion, he dismissed the idea.

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

Nearby words

dismantle, dismast, dismay, disme, dismember, dismiss, dismissal, dismissive, dismount, dismutase, disnature

Origin of dismiss

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin dismissus (for Latin dīmissus, past participle of dīmittere to send away), equivalent to Latin dis- dis-¹ + mitt(ere) to send + -tus past participle suffix

SYNONYMS FOR dismiss

3 fire.

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ANTONYMS FOR dismiss

2 recall.

3 hire.

4 accept.

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Related forms

dis·miss·i·ble, adjectivepre·dis·miss, verb (used with object)re·dis·miss, verb (used with object)un·dis·missed, adjective

Synonym study

2. See release.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dismiss

On Friday, the story had looked like it might blow over as Buckingham Palace sought to dismiss it as a “civil case.”
Buckingham Palace Disputes Sex Allegations Against Prince ‘Randy Andy’|Tom Sykes|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen defends the novel against critics who dismiss it as frivolous and feminine.
The Birth of the Novel|Nick Romeo|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This protest is not easy to dismiss as a right-wing anti-woman backlash.
Harvard Liberals Hate New Campus Sex Laws|Cathy Young|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If someone wants to dismiss this as do-goodism, fine, but it has real world effects.
Confronting George Clooney’s Critics on South Sudan|John Avlon|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I think if people were to realize that, it would be much harder to criminalize and dismiss us.
The Importance of Adult Classifieds|Hazlitt|September 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You are weary of her, too; all your Dukedom knows that right well—weary of her, and you dare not dismiss her!
A German Pompadour|Marie Hay
But we shall not dismiss in silence the faith of Abel, Enoch, and Noah.
The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews|Thomas Charles Edwards
It is almost impossible to dismiss the idea that the victims of some disaster await the last solemn rites.
Capitals of the Northlands|Ian C. Hannah
Already I feel assured of your consent; and, with my thanks, dismiss the subject.
Secresy|E. (Eliza) Fenwick
She tried to dismiss this feeling, but it grew more definite as the morning progressed.
The Blood Red Dawn|Charles Caldwell Dobie

British Dictionary definitions for dismiss

dismiss

/ (dɪsˈmɪs) /

verb (tr)

to remove or discharge from employment or service

to send away or allow to go or disperse

to dispel from one's mind; discard; reject

to cease to consider (a subject)they dismissed the problem

to decline further hearing to (a claim or action)the judge dismissed the case

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

sentence substitute

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

Derived Forms

dismissible, adjectivedismissive, adjective

Word Origin for dismiss

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dismiss

verb (used with object)

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Nearby words

Origin of dismiss

SYNONYMS FOR dismiss

ANTONYMS FOR dismiss

Related forms

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for dismiss

British Dictionary definitions for dismiss

dismiss

verb (tr)

sentence substitute

Derived Forms

Word Origin for dismiss