dismissal

noun

dis·​miss·​al dis-ˈmi-səl 

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

Synonyms

• firing
• axe
• furlough
• layoff
• discharge

Examples of dismissal in a Sentence

numerous dismissals from the company during the economic slump

Recent Examples on the Web

The state is expected to respond and may seek dismissal; plaintiffs could ask to pause the new standards while the case proceeds. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

Of late, Rosenzweig was deeply involved in a Medicare fraud case that was scheduled for trial in early October in Miami federal court, so his dismissal by Bondi will likely cause disruption and delay. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

Strzok filed the lawsuit in 2019, alleging the government violated his First Amendment rights with his dismissal. —Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2025

In recent months, EOIR leadership has criticized judges for not efficiently managing their caseloads, and has encouraged adjudicators to streamline asylum reviews and give oral, as opposed to written, decisions on case dismissals. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025

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