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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Some critics of President Biden may dismiss his recent apology of the federal Indian boarding schools as a strategy to win votes in what was a tight presidential election race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024 Hamlin offered a glimpse into his conversation with Forde, heatedly recounting how online criticisms of the playoff system were dismissed. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 But other Republicans push back on the criticism of Selzer, saying the campaign should not outright dismiss the poll’s findings. Julia Manchester, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024 More recently, David's team filed a motion to dismiss Karen's case, which the Tennessee Court of Appeals denied in October 2024. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 4 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 14 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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