dismissed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dismissed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has been told to leave or be disregarded. For example: "After class, the teacher dismissed the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The academy dismissed claims that its announcement had been scooped by the Aint-It-Cool-News website which ran an early list of supposed nominees.

The Guardian - Film

When asked who was coming after Schott, Costa replied: "He did mention it was someone on the central coast and I dismissed it, to be honest".

The Guardian

But even a potentially useful idea like the creation of a carbon-permit market to fight global warming is already being dismissed as Wall Street's "next big scam".

The Economist

McIntyre dismissed Gerry Adams's description of the project as a "malicious" plot against him.

The Guardian

Every departure from what has been asserted as "proper" and "fitting" from that very specific standpoint is dismissed as aberrant, and is ridiculed and subordinated.

The Guardian - Opinion

When he first started putting men in pussy-bow blouses, there was muttering about boundary pushing and it was dismissed as experimental London fashion by some factions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The prime minister will be unable to table his demands for the repatriation of powers before the next election because Clegg has dismissed this strategy as "a false promise wrapped in a union jack".

The Guardian

Eavis dismissed any concerns about the rapper's chequered history.

The Guardian - Music

For me the lull before the storm was illustrated by the complacent attitude of the Federal Reserve's vice-chairman Stanley Fischer, in his question and answer session after the annual Per Jacobsson lecture – not least when he dismissed that great central banking veteran Paul Volcker's call for a more structured international financial system.

The Guardian

A few years ago, the question "can there be a soft dictatorship inside the EU?" would have been dismissed as an abstruse hypothetical for students of law and political theory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clinton's campaign has, on numerous occasions, dismissed speculation over the nonprofit's internal dealings as conservative propaganda.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dismissed", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it means rejecting an idea, ending employment, or sending someone away.

Common error

Avoid using "dismissed" when "dispersed" is more appropriate. "Dismissed" implies a formal ending or rejection, while "dispersed" refers to scattering or spreading out.

Linguistic Context

The word "dismissed" functions primarily as a verb, typically used in the past tense or as a past participle. It signifies the act of rejecting, terminating, or sending away. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Business

5%

Film

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dismissed" is a versatile verb with a wide range of applications, primarily signifying rejection, termination, or delegation. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and quite common, especially in news and media contexts. While it can be used in both formal and informal settings, writers should be mindful of the specific connotation they wish to convey, considering synonyms like "rejected", "terminated", or "disregarded" for greater precision. Avoiding confusion with words like "dispersed" is also crucial for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disregarded

Implies a deliberate ignoring or lack of attention to something or someone.

rejected

Implies a conscious refusal or non-acceptance of something, differing slightly from simply disregarding it.

brushed aside

Suggests a casual or dismissive treatment, minimizing the importance of the issue at hand.

overruled

Indicates a decision to reject or set aside a previous ruling or decision, often in a legal context.

terminated

Refers to the formal ending of something, like a contract or employment, often with legal implications.

fired

Indicates a forceful termination of employment due to poor performance or misconduct.

sacked

An informal term for being fired or dismissed from a job.

laid off

Suggests a temporary or permanent termination of employment due to economic reasons.

axed

Indicates a sudden and often brutal termination or elimination of something.

shelved

Implies that a plan or project has been postponed indefinitely or abandoned.

FAQs

How can I use "dismissed" in a sentence?

You can use "dismissed" to indicate that someone was fired from a job, such as: "He was "fired" after failing to meet his sales goals" or that an idea was rejected: "The board "rejected" the proposal after a lengthy debate".

What is the difference between "dismissed" and "rejected"?

"Dismissed" can imply a broader range of meanings, including being sent away or terminated, while "rejected" specifically means refusing to accept something. You can use "rejected" when the idea itself is not accepted, but "dismissed" can be used to refuse an idea, a request, a person, etc.

What are some synonyms for "dismissed"?

Some synonyms for "dismissed" include "rejected", "fired", "disregarded", and "overruled". The best choice depends on the specific context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "dismissed"?

It's appropriate to use "dismissed" in formal contexts such as employment terminations or court rulings. In informal contexts, consider alternatives like "ignored" or "rejected" depending on the intended meaning.