dismiss

verb

dis·​miss dis-ˈmis How to pronounce dismiss (audio)
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 noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So far, nearly 60,000 federal employees have been dismissed, with the State Department layoffs marking the latest round of cuts. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025 With the reciprocal tariffs, Trump is dismissing the rules governing world trade. Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025 They have since been dismissed by the local solicitor general's office, WSB-TV reported. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 12 July 2025 The case was dismissed in June 2023 by former Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dismiss

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dismiss was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dismiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismiss. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

dismiss

verb
dis·​miss dis-ˈmis How to pronounce dismiss (audio)
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 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

More from Merriam-Webster on dismiss

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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