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

Davis said that accommodation was sufficient, and she tried to have the lawsuit dismissed as moot.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A U.S. official dismissed the notion that the pasta rates were politically driven, saying they were simply the result of a technical review process.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Scott Boland bowled 74 deliveries to Root in the remaining three Tests of that series, conceded 39 runs and dismissed Root four times by consistently probing at that fuller length and finding nicks.

Read more on BBC

On a negative note for Barca, De Jong was dismissed in stoppage time for a second yellow card as he trod on Iago Aspas' foot.

Read more on Barron's

It would have been too early to dismiss teams of the quality of Manchester City and Liverpool, especially as both are showing signs of returning to their formidable best after stumbles earlier this season.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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