dismissed; dismissing; dismisses
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
Synonyms
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
She was dismissed in June 2024 after a run of seven games without a win.
—
Asif Burhan, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Both cases were dismissed following Trump's reelection in November due to a longstanding Justice Department policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
More cases are being dismissed — rising from 41% to 61% — because prosecutors cannot meet the technical requirements, burdensome paperwork and deadlines of the new discovery law.
—Eric J. Gertler, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2025
Moments after dismissing the Denver Broncos 31-7 from the opening playoff round Sunday, the Bills already had the Baltimore Ravens on their minds.
—Tim Graham, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dismiss 
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Asif Burhan, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Both cases were dismissed following Trump's reelection in November due to a longstanding Justice Department policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
More cases are being dismissed — rising from 41% to 61% — because prosecutors cannot meet the technical requirements, burdensome paperwork and deadlines of the new discovery law.
—Eric J. Gertler, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2025
Moments after dismissing the Denver Broncos 31-7 from the opening playoff round Sunday, the Bills already had the Baltimore Ravens on their minds.
—Tim Graham, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dismiss
Dictionary Entries Near dismiss
Cite this Entry
“Dismiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismiss. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dismiss
verb
dis·miss
dis-ˈmis 
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
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
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