Synonyms of dismiss

dismiss

verb

dis-ˈmis 

1

as in to remove

to let go from office, service, or employment

the secretary was dismissed after it was discovered that she was stealing office supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remove
• sack
• retire
• fire
• release
• terminate
• can
• discharge
• ax
• bounce
• pink-slip
• muster out
• turn off
• show (someone) the door
• send packing
• downsize
• excess
• lay off
• cashier
• unseat
• kick out
• chuck (out)
• separate
• trim
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out
• furlough

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• engage
• employ
• retain
• hire
• sign (up or on)
• keep
• take on
• contract
• recruit
• rehire
• reemploy
• subcontract

2

as in to eject

to drive or force out

the sick boy's nurse dismissed the visitors so he could get some rest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eject
• out
• banish
• chase
• expel
• remove
• evict
• cast out
• kick out
• oust
• sack
• extrude
• run off
• drum (out)
• boot (out)
• throw out
• bounce
• turf (out)
• ostracize
• turn out
• rout
• send packing
• shut out
• read out
• give one the gate
• dispossess
• fire
• displace
• deport
• can
• exile
• terminate
• deforce
• expatriate
• retire
• pink-slip
• muster out
• ax
• defenestrate
• release
• discharge
• cashier

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• take
• receive
• admit
• take in
• welcome
• entertain
• shelter
• house
• harbor
• lodge

3

as in to minimize

to express scornfully one's low opinion of

critics dismissed his music as mere noise

Synonyms & Similar Words

• minimize
• diminish
• criticize
• denigrate
• disparage
• decry
• belittle
• denounce
• derogate
• discount
• condemn
• dislike
• deprecate
• depreciate
• discredit
• talk down
• dump on
• run down
• write off
• play down
• bad-mouth
• cry down
• trash-talk
• scold
• trash
• dis
• put down
• kiss off
• vilipend
• poor-mouth
• abuse
• disapprove (of)
• vilify
• malign
• slander
• censure
• discommend
• defame
• rip
• disgrace
• slur
• traduce
• reprehend
• reprobate
• asperse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• applaud
• approve
• praise
• exalt
• recommend
• extol
• magnify
• endorse
• glorify
• favor
• sanction
• laud
• countenance
• commend
• acclaim
• compliment
• eulogize

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dismiss

Valadao, meanwhile, cast himself as an experienced policymaker who delivers for the region and dismissed the criticism as the political bickering voters are tired of. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

In exchange, Hall agreed to dismiss the claims of assault and battery in her lawsuit. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Pharrell Williams is pushing to dismiss the lawsuit from his Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, arguing that after three years and three versions of the complaint, Hugo still hasn’t clearly identified a copyright claim that belongs in federal court. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026

The companies also asked the Boulder County District Court to dismiss the case on the grounds that federal law foreclosed the claims against them. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026