A verb for sending someone away, removing a person from a post, rejecting something as not worth attention, ending a legal action, and getting a cricket batter out.
The teacher dismissed the class five minutes early.
Guests were dismissed from the hall in small groups.
The fielding side dismissed Australia before tea.
The appeal was dismissed on procedural grounds.
England were dismissed for 248 on the second morning.
Similar words
terminate
get out
discount
send off
discontinue
oust
excuse
wave off
brush aside
discharge
Meanings
Reject or put aside
verb
everyday
neutral
To decide that an idea, claim, person, or worry is not worth serious attention, or to push it out of mind.
Examples
The committee dismissed the complaint as trivial.
She refused to dismiss the warning without evidence.
Many critics dismissed the plan too quickly.
He tried to dismiss the thought from his mind.
The manager dismissed the rumor with a short statement.
Similar words
reject
disregard
discount
brush aside
ignore
spurn
wave off
Send away or allow to leave
verb
everyday
neutral
To tell someone or a group that they may leave, or to order them away from a place or duty.
Examples
The teacher dismissed the class five minutes early.
After the briefing, the officer dismissed the squad.
The chair dismissed the meeting once the vote was finished.
The judge dismissed the witness after cross-examination.
Guests were dismissed from the hall in small groups.
Similar words
release
discharge
send away
let go
send off
disperse
excuse
Remove from a job or office
verb
work
neutral
To end someone's employment, service, or official position, usually by a decision from an employer or authority.
Examples
The board dismissed the chief executive after the inquiry.
Several workers were dismissed for serious misconduct.
The minister refused to dismiss the adviser.
She was unfairly dismissed from her post.
Management may dismiss staff who falsify records.
Similar words
fire
sack
terminate
discharge
remove
let go
oust
End a legal action
verb
legal
neutral
To refuse to hear a case, claim, charge, or motion further, so it no longer proceeds in court.
Examples
The court dismissed the claim for lack of evidence.
Defense lawyers asked the judge to dismiss the charges.
The appeal was dismissed on procedural grounds.
A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit before trial.
The prosecutor moved to dismiss the remaining counts.
Similar words
throw out
reject
quash
strike out
drop
discontinue
deny
Get a cricket batter out
verb
sports
technical
In cricket, to end a batter's innings by getting them out, or to get enough batters out to end a side's innings.
Examples
The spinner dismissed the opener with a sharp catch.
She was dismissed for 72 after a loose drive.
The fielding side dismissed Australia before tea.
A slower ball dismissed the captain in the final over.
England were dismissed for 248 on the second morning.
Similar words
get out
take wicket
bowl out
run out
stump
catch out
Etymology
From Middle English dismissen, from Medieval Latin dismittere, a variant of Latin dimittere, meaning "send away", from dis- "apart, away" and mittere "send".
FAQ
What does dismiss mean?
Dismiss means to send someone away, remove someone from a job, reject something as unimportant, end a legal action, or get a cricket batter out.
How is dismiss used with ideas or claims?
An idea, warning, allegation, or person can be dismissed as unimportant, false, unlikely, or not worth serious attention.
Can dismiss mean fire someone?
Yes. An employer, board, or authority can dismiss someone from a job, office, post, or service.
What does dismiss mean in court?
In law, a judge or court dismisses a case, claim, charge, appeal, or motion when it will not be heard further.
Can a teacher dismiss a class?
Yes. A teacher can dismiss a class by telling the students that they may leave.
What does dismiss mean in cricket?
In cricket, to dismiss a batter means to get that batter out, and a side can be dismissed when its innings is ended.
Is dismiss the same as ignore?
Sometimes. Dismiss often means rejecting or brushing aside something after deciding it does not deserve attention.
What preposition follows dismiss?
The pattern dismiss someone or something as is common, as in dismissed the story as rumor.
What is the origin of dismiss?
Dismiss goes back to Latin dimittere, meaning "send away", through Middle English and Medieval Latin forms.
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