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Synonyms

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

"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

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

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Following the incident in Wellington, England slumped to 31-4 against New Zealand in a match which started at 14:00, including Brook being dismissed for six.

From BBC

But the Milan proceedings were dismissed in January 2017 - in part because prosecutors could not link the payments to specific contracts or definitively identify the public officials who received the funds.

From BBC

When ABC 7 Eyewitness News asked Bass if she thought the “They Let Us Burn” rally is how residents should commemorate the one-year anniversary, she dismissed the event.

From Los Angeles Times

A federal judge recently dismissed the case against the driver, finding that he had been denied access to counsel while in immigration detention.

From Los Angeles Times

A month later, a federal judge dismissed the charges against her at the request of the Justice Department.

From The Wall Street Journal