dismissive
adjective
dis·mis·sive
dis-ˈmi-siv 
: serving to dismiss or reject someone or something : having or showing a disdainful attitude toward someone or something regarded as unworthy of serious attention
He responded to the question with a dismissive wave.
In the past, Westerberg had been dismissive of Bob's playing, but he says relistening to the early records gave him a new perspective.—
Bob Weir
Bob Weir
dismissively
adverb
Writer Tom Fontana's violent, realistic drama debuted five years ago and uninitiated viewers still dismissively call it "that prison show on HBO."
—Ian Rothkerch
Ian Rothkerch
These are not people who speak dismissively of the brain's capabilities.
—Brad Leithauser
Brad Leithauser
dismissiveness
noun
The work of feminist scholars, both individually and collectively, has been greeted in some quarters with impatience, irritation, dismissiveness, even contempt.
—Cullen Murphy
Cullen Murphy
Examples of dismissive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some rock stars are happy to appear indifferent or dismissive of the Hall, while others welcome the honor without openly clamoring for it.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2024
In their public remarks, the Americans were never quite so dismissive of diplomacy as Johnson had been.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
Rather than being annoyed or dismissive of any criticism or suggestions, embrace them and then work on them.
—Adam Bryant, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Most people appreciate that sincerity over cliché lines (which can come off as generic and even dismissive).
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 18 Mar. 2024
Even as China and Russia have grown significantly closer, officials in Washington have remained dismissive.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
If Clark exceeded her own standards — with 41 points, 12 assists and 7 rebounds — so, too, did the game, which was free of jawing, dismissive gestures and score settling.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Many described the property management team as dismissive, rude and hard to reach.
—Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024
Rounding out the cast are Teri Polo as the friendly messenger raven Saylor, and Steven Weber as the dismissive Head Knight.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 20 Feb. 2024
Al Shipley, SPIN, 22 Apr. 2024
In their public remarks, the Americans were never quite so dismissive of diplomacy as Johnson had been.
—Samuel Charap, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024
Rather than being annoyed or dismissive of any criticism or suggestions, embrace them and then work on them.
—Adam Bryant, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Most people appreciate that sincerity over cliché lines (which can come off as generic and even dismissive).
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 18 Mar. 2024
Even as China and Russia have grown significantly closer, officials in Washington have remained dismissive.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
If Clark exceeded her own standards — with 41 points, 12 assists and 7 rebounds — so, too, did the game, which was free of jawing, dismissive gestures and score settling.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Many described the property management team as dismissive, rude and hard to reach.
—Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024
Rounding out the cast are Teri Polo as the friendly messenger raven Saylor, and Steven Weber as the dismissive Head Knight.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 20 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dismissive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dismissive
Cite this Entry
“Dismissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismissive. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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