dismiss

dismiss

verb

Definition of DISMISS

1

to let go from office, service, or employment <the secretary was dismissed after it was discovered that she was stealing office supplies>

Synonyms ax (or axe), bounce, can, cashier, discharge, fire, muster out, pink-slip, release, remove, retire, sack, terminate, turn off

Related Words downsize, excess, furlough, lay off, trim; boot (out), chuck (out), drum (out), kick out, throw out, unseat; separate

Phrases send packing, show (one) the door

Near Antonyms keep; reemploy, rehire; contract, subcontract; recruit

Antonyms employ, engage, hire, retain, sign (up or on), take on

2

to drive or force out <the sick boy's nurse dismissed the visitors so he could get some rest>

Synonyms banish, boot (out), bounce, cast out, chase, dismiss, drum (out), expel, extrude, kick out, oust, out, rout, run off, throw out, turf (out) [chiefly British], turn out

Related Words deforce, deport, displace, dispossess, evict, exile, expatriate, ostracize, read out, shut out; ax (or axe), can, cashier, defenestrate, discharge, fire, muster out, pink-slip, release, remove, retire, sack, terminate

Near Antonyms accept, admit, receive, take, take in; welcome; entertain, harbor, house, lodge, shelter

3

to express scornfully one's low opinion of <critics dismissed his music as mere noise>

Synonyms bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, denigrate, deprecate, depreciate, derogate, diminish, dis (also diss) [slang], discount, dismiss, disparage, kiss off, minimize, play down, poor-mouth, put down, run down, talk down, trash, trash-talk, vilipend, write off

Related Words discommend; abuse, scold; disapprove (of), dislike; censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, reprehend, reprobate; asperse, defame, malign, rip, slander, slur, traduce, vilify; discredit, disgrace

Near Antonyms approve, countenance, endorse (also indorse), favor, recommend, sanction; commend, compliment, eulogize

Antonyms acclaim, applaud, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, laud, magnify, praise