dismiss

verb

dis-MIS/dɪsˈmɪs/UKdiz-MIS/dɪzˈmɪs/

8 meanings of dismiss

1
verbtransitive
To decide that something is not important or not worth thinking about.
Like waving away a fly without even looking at it.
The judge dismissed the argument as weak.
Don't dismiss her idea so quickly.
Similardiscount, disregard, reject, scorn, belittle
Oppositeconsider, entertain, accept, acknowledge
2
verbtransitive
To make someone leave their job.
Like a coach taking a player off the team for good.
The company dismissed several workers last month.
They can dismiss any employee who breaks the rules.
Similarfire, sack, discharge, terminate, axe
Oppositehire, employ, appoint, engage
3
verbtransitive
To push a thought or feeling out of your mind.
Like shutting a door on a thought you don't want.
Try to dismiss those worries and get some sleep.
He dismissed the fear and walked on.
Similardispel, banish, suppress
Oppositeentertain, harbor
4
verbtransitive
To refuse to accept something.
Like throwing away a letter without reading it.
The court dismissed the case for lack of evidence.
They dismiss every offer that seems too low.
Similarreject, refuse, deny, decline
Oppositeaccept, approve, uphold, grant
Note
5
verbtransitive
To send someone or something away without caring, often rudely.
Like brushing crumbs off a table without a second look.
She dismissed the salesman with a wave of her hand.
Don't dismiss people just because they disagree with you.
Similarscorn, disdain, spurn, deride, disregard
Oppositeheed, respect
6
verbtransitive
To tell a group of people that they can or must go.
Like a bell ringing to tell students that class is over.
The teacher dismissed the class early today.
The officer can dismiss the troops after inspection.
Similarrelease, excuse, discharge
Oppositesummon, convene, assemble
Note
7
verbtransitive
In cricket, to get a batter out and end their turn at bat.
Like getting a player out in baseball so they have to leave.
The bowler dismissed the opener with a fast ball.
They needed to dismiss two more batters to win.
Similarremove, dispatch
Note
8
verbtransitive
In soccer, to send a player off the field with a red card.
Like a referee sending someone off so the game goes on without them.
The referee dismissed the striker for a dangerous tackle.
Officials can dismiss any player who fights during a match.
Similarred-card, eject, expel
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin dīmittō "to send away," made from dis- and mittere "to send." It came into Middle English.