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

Food giant Campbell's has dismissed as "absurd" claims allegedly made by a senior executive, who has since been placed on leave, that its soups are made with "3D-printed" chicken and consumed by "poor people."

Read more on Barron's

He decided not to pursue the case further, leading Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to issue a one-paragraph order dismissing the case in its entirety.

Read more on Salon

Rosario Castro, a victim of the failings and a member of Amama, dismissed the authorities' response as wholly inadequate.

Read more on Barron's

Earlier this month, Mr Justice Mould dismissed the council's claim, ruling an injunction was "not an appropriate means of enforcing planning control".

Read more on BBC

If the claim is successful, the commission will decide a new punishment, but if it is dismissed Littlejohn will serve the standard three-match ban.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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