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
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
In a separate statement, Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor for strategic communications, dismissed Agostini’s comments directly.
—
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The ethics inquiry board deliberated on the motion to dismiss and held the motion in abeyance pending the complainant’s witnesses testifying.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
But dismissing or minimizing disappointment can unintentionally teach children to ignore or suppress emotions.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026
But warning signs should not be dismissed – and physical rights violations are a clear flag.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismiss
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.
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The ethics inquiry board deliberated on the motion to dismiss and held the motion in abeyance pending the complainant’s witnesses testifying.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
But dismissing or minimizing disappointment can unintentionally teach children to ignore or suppress emotions.
—Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026
But warning signs should not be dismissed – and physical rights violations are a clear flag.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dismiss
Cite this Entry
“Dismiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismiss. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
