dismissive

adjective

dis·​mis·​sive dis-ˈmi-siv 

: serving to dismiss or reject someone or something : having or showing a disdainful attitude toward someone or something regarded as unworthy of serious attention

He responded to the question with a dismissive wave.

In the past, Westerberg had been dismissive of Bob's playing, but he says relistening to the early records gave him a new perspective.

—Bob Weir

dismissively adverb

Writer Tom Fontana's violent, realistic drama debuted five years ago and uninitiated viewers still dismissively call it "that prison show on HBO."

—Ian Rothkerch

These are not people who speak dismissively of the brain's capabilities.

—Brad Leithauser

dismissiveness noun

The work of feminist scholars, both individually and collectively, has been greeted in some quarters with impatience, irritation, dismissiveness, even contempt.

—Cullen Murphy

Examples of dismissive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Someone who often shows up late—but with a bright smile and genuine warmth for their colleagues—is probably not trying to be dismissive or rude. —Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 9 Dec. 2024

This gap became even more glaring with Witty’s internal video remarks, where his dismissive tone came across as deflection rather than accountability. —Molly McPherson, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

At one point, Lena, still grieving Abram, becomes incensed by the dismissive way her co-workers treat the mail of deceased soldiers. —Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024

The fact that she was sent home first (and met her elimination with a characteristically flippant and dismissive attitude). —EW.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined above