DISMISS Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

dismiss

verb

dis-ˈmis

Definition of dismiss

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to minimize

to express scornfully one's low opinion of critics dismissed his music as mere noise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of dismiss Putin dismissed the allegations, saying Berlin wants to distract from its own failings and dissatisfaction among voters. — Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 He was ruled incompetent to stand trial, and the case was later dismissed. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Unlike the United States, Israel has no tradition of dismissing senior public officials when political power changes hands. — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026 Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin dismissed any travel concerns, saying that authorities are constantly strengthening flight safety. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dismiss

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dismiss

Verb

The cores or plugs removed from the lawn during aeration actually increase the success of overseeding by providing more direct contact between the seeds and the soil.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
If coverings could not be removed, visitors would be charged for a day pass or a pass replacement.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of remove

Verb

Plate umpire Alan Porter tossed Vitello and first-base ump Jim Wolf ejected Webb, who was not pitching Friday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Days later, a former NBA player who has used the WNBA as a vehicle for anti-trans advocacy was ejected from a Chicago Sky game, after engaging in an altercation with team guard Natasha Cloud.

— Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of eject

Verb

That dynamic undoubtedly minimizes the adjustment associated with staff upheaval.

— Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Mazama Energy’s demonstrated superhot rock platform optimizes well construction, drilling, and stimulation to boost power capacity while minimizing water use, land footprint, and well counts.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of minimize

Verb

But as his career was sacked, as television pundits continued to make personal attacks, and as 986 people were killed by police in 2017, Kaepernick stayed largely quiet.

— Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
Craig was sacked three times and once UNC started keying on the run, the Horned Frogs struggled to match the Tar Heels’ physicality.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of sack

Verb

Co-owner John Mara is battling cancer, and co-owner Steve Tisch is laying low after being outed in the Epstein Files.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2026
Then the rest of the game occurred, a 20-12 victory in which Ty Simpson emerged with arguably the best rookie quarterback outing across the league over the weekend.

— Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of out

Verb

At least one expert said that some workers could have access to oxygen, but others warned that the chances of finding survivors were diminishing.

— Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Violence diminishes its victims, forcing everyone to play a single thankless role.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Cathy Engelbert will retire as WNBA commissioner at the end of the year, ending a tenure of seven-plus years that saw both tremendous growth and some turmoil for the league.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Murray leaned on her relationship with teammates, the Nebraska staff and John Cook, the coach who recruited her — and retired after the 2024 season — to survive that time.

— Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of retire

Verb

The Legislature passed late Sunday a bill that would banish lobbyists convicted of corruption from the Capitol for 12 years.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Any doubts over whether that deal would be concluded would have been banished as soon as Riad was taken off.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of banish

Browse Nearby Words

dismembers

dismiss

dismissal

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dismiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dismiss. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dismiss

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes