dismissal

noun

dis·​miss·​al dis-ˈmi-səl How to pronounce dismissal (audio)
: the act of dismissing : the fact or state of being dismissed

Examples of dismissal in a Sentence

numerous dismissals from the company during the economic slump
Recent Examples on the Web Three years after being fired from The Mandalorian, Gina Carano is opening up about her dismissal from the series and ongoing lawsuit against Lucasfilm and Disney. Shania Russell, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2024 Altman in November was fired as CEO and director by the OpenAI board in a shocking dismissal of an executive who had become the face of AI in Silicon Valley. David Goldman, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 The ruling was issued on the heels of ABC defeating a similar lawsuit from Ingo Rademacher over his dismissal from General Hospital for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 But there are others who are hopeful that the WilmerHale investigation will provide a thorough accounting of the events surrounding Mr. Altman’s dismissal. Cade Metz, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Denying them the opportunity is a callous dismissal. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 In March 2023, Ray J was granted a dismissal after hinting that the couple had reconciled in December 2022. Emily J. Shiffer, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 The lawsuit followed the dismissal of the city’s former police chief, Sam Dobbins, in July 2022. USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 The state's case has been rocked by allegations that the prosecutor in the case, Fulton County district attorney Fanni Willis, had an improper affair with another prosecutor involved in Trump's prosecution, which the defense has argued should require Willis’ dismissal. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dismissal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dismissal was in 1778

Dictionary Entries Near dismissal

Cite this Entry

“Dismissal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismissal. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on dismissal

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