dismissal

noun

dis·​miss·​al dis-ˈmi-səl 

: the act of dismissing : the fact or state of being dismissed

Synonyms of dismissal

• firing
• furlough
• layoff
• discharge

Examples of dismissal in a Sentence

numerous dismissals from the company during the economic slump

Recent Examples on the Web

Editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer, and reporter Lara Korte at Stars and Stripes – a military news outlet that is partially funded by the Pentagon – claimed their dismissals were retaliatory and violated the First Amendment. — Miles J. Herszenhorn, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

That was because, as OutKick's Ian Miller wrote, the university had pulled the outlet's credentials because of a report about a locker room altercation that resulted in the dismissal of senior safety Jacob Fields. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Jeremiah Johnson, vice president of the National Association of Immigration Judges, said asylum rates appear to be one factor, but the dismissals cannot be attributed to a single reason. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026

While Sullivan did not confirm, defense attorney Kevin Reddington referenced a second note that might have been issued to the judge on the same issue just before dismissal Thursday. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dismissal

• abyssal
• epistle
• bristle
• fissile
• gristle
• missal
• missile
• nissl
• thistle
• whistle

Legal Definition

dismissal

noun

dis·​mis·​sal

1

: removal from a position or service

2

a

: the termination of an action or claim usually before the presentation of evidence by the defendant

— involuntary dismissal

: the dismissal of an action by the court because of the plaintiff's failure to pursue his or her case

: the dismissal of an action by the court upon motion of the defendant after presentation of the plaintiff's case made on the grounds that the plaintiff has shown no right to relief

Note: An involuntary dismissal under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b) prevents the plaintiff from bringing suit again based on the same claim.

— voluntary dismissal

: the dismissal of an action by the plaintiff

Note: Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a), a plaintiff may dismiss an action without a court order anytime before the defendant serves an answer or moves for summary judgment, or by stipulation of the parties. Otherwise, a court order is required. A court-ordered dismissal will not prevent the plaintiff from bringing the action again unless the order so states. A dismissal without a court order will not bar the plaintiff from bringing the action again unless the plaintiff has brought the same action already.

b

: the cancellation of an indictment, information, complaint, or charge

Note: Under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 48, the attorney for the government may dismiss the indictment, information, or complaint with the court's approval. The court may also dismiss it if there is unnecessary delay in the government's prosecution of the case.

c

: a document setting forth the request for a dismissal

plaintiff filed a dismissal