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Word

dismissal

noun C1
[dɪsˈmɪsəɫ]

Meanings

noun

the act of ending someone’s employment

dismissal: the act of ending someone’s employment
noun

a decision by a court or authority to end a case or complaint without continuing it

dismissal: a decision by a court or authority to end a case or complaint without continuing it
noun

the act of rejecting an idea, concern, or person as not worth considering

dismissal: the act of rejecting an idea, concern, or person as not worth considering

Definition

Dismissal is the act of sending someone away or ending their job or a case.

Dismissal means making someone leave or refusing to keep them in a position, activity, or place. It is commonly used for ending someone’s employment or for a court deciding that a case should not continue. It can also describe the act of rejecting an idea or concern as unimportant. The tone can range from neutral (procedural) to negative (rude or disrespectful).

Examples

  • Her dismissal came after months of documented performance issues and repeated warnings.
  • The judge ordered the dismissal of the complaint because the evidence was insufficient.
  • I was surprised by his dismissal of the proposal without even reading the executive summary.
  • Their dismissal of local residents’ concerns damaged trust and slowed the project.
  • Your dismissal of the feedback may prevent you from spotting a serious weakness in the plan.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse dismissal with resignation, but dismissal is initiated by an employer or authority, not by the person leaving.