dismiss

verb

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

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 noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company dismissed its previous auditor, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP, and engaged WithumSmith+Brown, PC as its new auditor. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024 Douglas, who was in the final year of his contract after being hired in 2019, was not consulted by Johnson when the owner made the decision to dismiss Saleh and replace him on an interim basis with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Dennis Waszak Jr., Twin Cities, 19 Nov. 2024 The Western film is set to premiere at the Camerimage Festival in Poland on Wednesday, more than four months since a judge dismissed Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024 Though New Mexico special prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey has filed motions for Judge Sommer to reconsider her decision to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin, Sommer rebuked those arguments and has declined to reconsider Morrissey's case multiple times in recent months. Tommy McArdle, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dismiss 

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

Cite this Entry

“Dismiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismiss. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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