dismiss

verb

dis·​miss dis-ˈmis How to pronounce dismiss (audio)
dismissed; dismissing; dismisses
Synonyms of dismissnext

transitive verb

1
: to permit or cause (someone) to leave
dismiss the visitors
Class is dismissed.
2
: to remove from position or service : discharge
He was dismissed [=fired] from his job.
Several employees were recently dismissed.
3
a
: to reject serious consideration of (something or someone)
dismissed the thought
dismissed her as an amateur
b
law : to put (an action) out of judicial consideration : to refuse to hear (an action) or to hear (an action) further in court
dismiss all charges
This case is dismissed.
4
: to put out (a batsman) in cricket
dismission
dis-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce dismiss (audio)
noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of dismiss in a Sentence

I don't think we should dismiss the matter lightly. The students were dismissed early because of the snowstorm. Several employees were recently dismissed.
Recent Examples on the Web What makes this saga all the more twisty is that Barrera was leading the way on Radio Silence’s Abigail set when she was dismissed from Scream. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Apr. 2024 After 10 hours of deliberation, the jury sent a note to Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Thomas Fink requesting to be dismissed and to return Monday morning after not being able to reach a unanimous verdict. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dismiss 

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, modification of Latin dimissus, past participle of dimittere, from dis- + mittere to send

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of dismiss was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dismiss

dismember

dismiss

dismissal

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Dismiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismiss. Accessed 5 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

dismiss

verb
dis·​miss dis-ˈmis How to pronounce dismiss (audio)
1
: to send away : cause or allow to go
dismissed the troops
2
: to discharge from office, service, or employment
3
: to put aside or out of mind
dismiss the thought
4
: to refuse further judicial hearing or consideration to
the judge dismissed the charge
dismissal
-ˈmis-əl
noun
dismissive
-ˈmis-iv How to pronounce dismiss (audio)
adjective
dismissively adverb
Etymology

derived from Latin dimissus, past participle of dimittere "to send away," from di-, dis- "away, apart," and mittere "to send, throw" — related to emit

Legal Definition

dismiss

transitive verb
dis·​miss
1
: to remove from position or service
dismissed the employee
2
: to bring about or order the dismissal of (an action)
the suit was dismissed

intransitive verb

: to bring about or order a dismissal
the plaintiff moved to dismiss

More from Merriam-Webster on dismiss

Nglish: Translation of dismiss for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of dismiss for Arabic Speakers

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