Dismissed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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dismissed

[dษชsหˆmษชst ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

workplace

To officially remove someone from their job, usually because of their poor performance or misconduct.

Synonyms

fired, sacked, terminated.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dismissed

Used in a formal or neutral context, often in legal or academic settings, to indicate that someone has been removed from a position or job. It does not necessarily carry a negative connotation.

  • The court dismissed the case due to lack of evidence.
  • He was dismissed from his post for not following company policies.
sacked

This is a more informal and sometimes British way of saying 'fired,' often with a slightly harsher tone. It generally implies that the dismissal was sudden and due to significant wrongdoing or incompetence.

  • He was sacked for stealing from the company.
  • After the poor quarterly results, several executives were sacked.
fired

Commonly used in informal or everyday language, and often has a negative connotation, suggesting that the person was removed from their job usually for poor performance or misconduct.

  • She was fired for repeatedly being late to work.
  • After the incident, the manager decided to fire him.
terminated

Frequently used in formal or business contexts, and it carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation. It often implies that the employment was ended officially and might include legal or procedural implications.

  • Her employment was terminated following the staff review.
  • The contract was terminated after both parties failed to reach an agreement.

Examples of usage

  • He was dismissed from the company for repeatedly being late to work.
  • The manager dismissed the employee after he was caught stealing.
Context #2 | Verb

court

To decide that a case should not continue in court, usually because of lack of evidence or legal technicalities.

Synonyms

closed, dropped, rejected.

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Word Description / Examples
dismissed

Used when referring to someone being let go from a job or when a case in court is not accepted.

  • She was dismissed from her job due to budget cuts.
  • The judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence.
dropped

Often used when someone decides not to continue with a plan, course, or legal charge.

  • She dropped the course because it was too difficult.
  • The charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
closed

Used when something is shut down or no longer open, such as a store or an event.

  • The store closed at 8 PM.
  • The case was closed after the investigation ended.
rejected

Used when something is not accepted, often implying a negative or critical connotation.

  • His proposal was rejected by the committee.
  • She felt hurt when her application was rejected.

Examples of usage

  • The judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence.
  • The lawyer asked for the case to be dismissed on the grounds of improper procedure.
Context #3 | Verb

conversation

To ignore or disregard something as unimportant.

Synonyms

brush off, disregard, ignore.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dismissed

Used when formally rejecting an idea, person, or job position. Often associated with official settings or authority.

  • The manager dismissed the employee after repeated warnings.
  • The judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence.
ignore

General term for not paying attention to someone or something. Can be neutral but sometimes perceived as rude.

  • He ignored her calls because he was busy.
  • The student ignored the teacher's instructions.
disregard

Neutral word typically used for ignoring rules, advice, or concerns. Can imply a deliberate choice to not follow or care.

  • She disregarded the warning signs and continued driving.
  • The company disregarded the environmental regulations.
brush off

Informal and slightly dismissive way of showing a lack of interest or concern. It implies a casual or indifferent attitude.

  • He brushed off her comments and continued with his work.
  • The coach brushed off the loss, saying they would do better next time.

Examples of usage

  • She dismissed his comments as irrelevant.
  • He dismissed her concerns and continued with his plan.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Dismissal can relate to psychological defense mechanisms, where individuals ignore or overlook feelings or memories to protect themselves.
  • Being dismissed can lead to feelings of rejection, which can impact self-esteem and comfort in social situations.

Law

  • In legal contexts, a case can be dismissed if there is insufficient evidence, meaning it is thrown out and will not proceed in court.
  • A dismissal of charges can have significant implications for the accused, affecting their future and reputation.

Education

  • In classrooms, students are sometimes dismissed early as a reward for good behavior or completed work, emphasizing positive reinforcement.
  • Education policies may lead to students being dismissed from school for behavior that disrupts learning environments.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and TV shows, characters often experience moments of being dismissed, reflecting feelings of isolation or misunderstanding.
  • Dismissiveness is a common trope in superhero narratives, where authority figures may ignore warnings from heroes about impending danger.

Origin of 'dismissed'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'dimittere', meaning 'to send away', highlighting its core idea of being sent off.
  • It entered the English language around the 14th century, with meanings evolving to include 'to reject' or 'to not consider'.

The word 'dismiss' originated from the Latin word 'dimittere' which means 'send away'. It first appeared in English in the 15th century. Over the years, the meaning of 'dismiss' has evolved to include various contexts such as job termination, court rulings, and casual disregard.


See also: dismissal, dismissing, dismission, dismissive.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,305, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.