Synonyms of dismiss

dismiss

verb

dis-ˈmis 

1

as in to remove

to let go from office, service, or employment

the secretary was dismissed after it was discovered that she was stealing office supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remove
• sack
• retire
• fire
• release
• terminate
• can
• discharge
• ax
• bounce
• pink-slip
• muster out
• turn off
• show (someone) the door
• send packing
• downsize
• excess
• lay off
• cashier
• unseat
• kick out
• chuck (out)
• separate
• trim
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out
• furlough

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• engage
• employ
• retain
• hire
• sign (up or on)
• keep
• take on
• contract
• recruit
• rehire
• reemploy
• subcontract

2

as in to eject

to drive or force out

the sick boy's nurse dismissed the visitors so he could get some rest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eject
• out
• banish
• chase
• expel
• remove
• evict
• cast out
• kick out
• oust
• sack
• extrude
• run off
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out
• bounce
• turf (out)
• ostracize
• turn out
• rout
• send packing
• shut out
• read out
• give one the gate
• dispossess
• fire
• displace
• deport
• can
• exile
• terminate
• deforce
• expatriate
• retire
• pink-slip
• muster out
• ax
• defenestrate
• release
• discharge
• cashier

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• take
• receive
• admit
• take in
• welcome
• entertain
• shelter
• house
• harbor
• lodge

3

as in to minimize

to express scornfully one's low opinion of

critics dismissed his music as mere noise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minimize
• diminish
• criticize
• denigrate
• disparage
• decry
• belittle
• denounce
• derogate
• discount
• condemn
• dislike
• deprecate
• depreciate
• discredit
• talk down
• dump on
• run down
• write off
• play down
• bad-mouth
• cry down
• trash-talk
• scold
• trash
• dis
• put down
• kiss off
• vilipend
• poor-mouth
• abuse
• disapprove (of)
• vilify
• malign
• slander
• censure
• discommend
• defame
• rip
• disgrace
• slur
• traduce
• reprehend
• reprobate
• asperse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• applaud
• approve
• praise
• exalt
• recommend
• extol
• magnify
• endorse
• glorify
• favor
• sanction
• laud
• countenance
• commend
• acclaim
• compliment
• eulogize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dismiss

The judge disagreed, finding Norwood did not qualify for protection under California’s anti-SLAPP law, which is intended to quickly dismiss lawsuits targeting free speech that are not likely to prevail. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026

Why The Role Itself Manufactures Loneliness The numbers are hard to dismiss. — Jan Gerber, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Often these kinds of criticisms can be dismissed as a matter of taste, not to mention prejudice. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

The Chicago Stars have dismissed coach Martin Sjögren after less than a season with the National Women’s Soccer League club. — Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026