dismiss

verb

dis·​miss dis-ˈmis 

dismissed; dismissing; dismisses

transitive verb

1

: to permit or cause (someone) to leave

dismiss the visitors

Class is dismissed.

2

: to remove from position or service : discharge

He was dismissed [=fired] from his job.

Several employees were recently dismissed.

3

a

: to reject serious consideration of (something or someone)

dismissed the thought

dismissed her as an amateur

b

law : to put (an action) out of judicial consideration : to refuse to hear (an action) or to hear (an action) further in court

dismiss all charges

This case is dismissed.

4

: to put out (a batsman) in cricket

dismission

dis-ˈmi-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• ax
• axe
• bounce
• can
• cashier
• discharge
• fire
• muster out
• pink-slip
• release
• remove
• retire
• sack
• terminate
• turn off

Examples of dismiss in a Sentence

I don't think we should dismiss the matter lightly.

The students were dismissed early because of the snowstorm.

Several employees were recently dismissed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Earlier, the Israeli military dismissed two officers, reprimanded three commanders and apologized for the incident, after which WCK suspended its operations in Gaza. —Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024

Filed in federal court in Detroit, the lawsuit was dismissed in 1998 by U.S. District Judge Denise Page Hood. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024

The yard was cleaned up a bit in 2018 and 2019, after Gaon was charged with misdemeanors for not complying with a court order to clean up (the case was ultimately dismissed), the Times reported. —Pilar Arias, Fox News, 4 Apr. 2024

Trump’s lawyer, Steve Sadow, argued the charges should be dismissed because Trump was speaking about politics as president. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

In other instances, prosecutors might quietly dismiss a criminal case before troubling conduct by law enforcement draws attention or reach a plea deal before Fourth Amendment issues are resolved. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024

The roughly 80-minute hearing came after Mayes made a trek to the Capitol, holding a press conference to dismiss the committee as a partisan stunt. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024

Two distinguished trial judges repeatedly dismissed these cases on numerous occasions over the last decade because the law required it. —Danielle Bacher, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024

The Cabarrus County Board of Elections on Monday dismissed challenges by two primary candidates who alleged members of the local Republican Party unfairly influenced the outcome. —Kendrick Marshall, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, modification of Latin dimissus, past participle of dimittere, from dis- + mittere to send

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

dismiss

verb

dis·​miss dis-ˈmis 

1

: to send away : cause or allow to go

dismissed the troops

2

: to discharge from office, service, or employment

3

: to put aside or out of mind

dismiss the thought

4

: to refuse further judicial hearing or consideration to

the judge dismissed the charge

dismissal

-ˈmis-əl

noun

dismissive

-ˈmis-iv 

adjective

dismissively adverb

Etymology

derived from Latin dimissus, past participle of dimittere "to send away," from di-, dis- "away, apart," and mittere "to send, throw" — related to emit

Legal Definition

dismiss

transitive verb

dis·​miss

1

: to remove from position or service

dismissed the employee

2

: to bring about or order the dismissal of (an action)

the suit was dismissed

intransitive verb

: to bring about or order a dismissal

the plaintiff moved to dismiss