Synonyms of dismiss

dismiss

verb

dis-ˈmis 

1

as in to remove

to let go from office, service, or employment

the secretary was dismissed after it was discovered that she was stealing office supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remove
• sack
• retire
• fire
• release
• terminate
• can
• discharge
• ax
• bounce
• pink-slip
• muster out
• turn off
• show (someone) the door
• send packing
• downsize
• excess
• lay off
• cashier
• unseat
• kick out
• chuck (out)
• separate
• trim
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out
• furlough

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• engage
• employ
• retain
• hire
• sign (up or on)
• keep
• take on
• contract
• recruit
• rehire
• reemploy
• subcontract

2

as in to eject

to drive or force out

the sick boy's nurse dismissed the visitors so he could get some rest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eject
• out
• banish
• chase
• expel
• remove
• evict
• cast out
• kick out
• oust
• sack
• extrude
• run off
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out
• bounce
• turf (out)
• ostracize
• turn out
• rout
• send packing
• shut out
• read out
• give one the gate
• dispossess
• fire
• displace
• deport
• can
• exile
• terminate
• deforce
• expatriate
• retire
• pink-slip
• muster out
• ax
• defenestrate
• release
• discharge
• cashier

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• take
• receive
• admit
• take in
• welcome
• entertain
• shelter
• house
• harbor
• lodge

3

as in to minimize

to express scornfully one's low opinion of

critics dismissed his music as mere noise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minimize
• diminish
• criticize
• denigrate
• disparage
• decry
• belittle
• denounce
• derogate
• discount
• condemn
• dislike
• deprecate
• depreciate
• discredit
• talk down
• dump on
• run down
• write off
• play down
• bad-mouth
• cry down
• trash-talk
• scold
• trash
• dis
• put down
• kiss off
• vilipend
• poor-mouth
• abuse
• disapprove (of)
• vilify
• malign
• slander
• censure
• discommend
• defame
• rip
• disgrace
• slur
• traduce
• reprehend
• reprobate
• asperse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• applaud
• approve
• praise
• exalt
• recommend
• extol
• magnify
• endorse
• glorify
• favor
• sanction
• laud
• countenance
• commend
• acclaim
• compliment
• eulogize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dismiss

Democratic Party insiders were quick to dismiss the insurgent victories of some left-wing candidates in primary races this summer as little more than a product of deep-blue, big-city politics. — Teo Armus, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2026

Madix on Wednesday lost her bid to dismiss the lawsuit, according to California Court of Appeals documents shared with the Daily News. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026

Though Chicks' lawyers moved to dismiss the complaint, Chicks ultimately closed in 2014. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

The jury was dismissed Monday, and the case will be reset for trial, records show. — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026