dismissive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'dismissive' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an attitude where someone is not taking something seriously or is treating something as not important. Example: The boss gave a dismissive answer to my suggestion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He watched Burke in action, too, and was equally dismissive of Burke's dismissiveness.

The Guardian - Sport

It got worse: "There were two men who were particularly rude and completely dismissive of what I did".

The Guardian

Senior members of the Liberal Democrat campaign are dismissive of the idea that the deputy prime minister could lose his seat on 7 May.

The Guardian

But Palestinian officials are dismissive of the argument, saying there is no peace process to speak of and that Israel has done little to enhance Abbas's credibility by continuing to expand Jewish settlements and treating him with contempt.

The Guardian

There is an unhelpful conflation of what Charlie Hebdo now represents – namely sneering and dismissive attitudes towards immigrants across Europe – and the reason for which it has been granted the award.

The Guardian - Opinion

This dismissive attitude goes back a long way.

The Guardian - Opinion

White has retired from that role, but the BIS continues to produce an eminently readable report, if to my mind it is too dismissive of the risks of deflation, most notably in the eurozone.

The Guardian - Business

At first Sackett found the reception of his ideas by the medical establishment to be "negative, condescending and dismissive".

The Guardian

The Global Warming Policy Foundation (GWPF), the UK thinktank set up by Nigel Lawson to lobby against action on climate change and which hosts a flat-lining temperature graph on the masthead of its website, was dismissive of the study.

The Guardian

But he came under fire while campaigning for his wife in 2008 for appearing dismissive of Obama's candidacy.

The Guardian

On Tuesday Abbott and Bishop began to show their dismay at the "ghastly episode" and what Australian officials see as Indonesia's dismissive attitude to their pleas, and the insensitive and heavy-handed treatment of the condemned men and their families.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dismissive" to accurately portray an attitude of rejection or disregard, ensuring the context clearly reflects the subject's lack of consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "dismissive" too frequently in formal or professional writing; consider more nuanced alternatives like "unreceptive" or "skeptical" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "dismissive" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a quality of disregard or rejection. Ludwig AI indicates that this word is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing attitudes, remarks, and even styles of drawing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "dismissive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used word in English, particularly in journalistic contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for describing an attitude of rejection or disregard, as highlighted in the numerous examples from news sources like The Guardian and The Economist. While generally neutral in register, being excessively "dismissive" can be perceived negatively, so writers should consider alternatives like "indifferent" or "contemptuous" to ensure the tone aligns with the message. This thorough analysis, considering grammatical correctness, source authority, and usage patterns, underscores the importance of context when employing the word "dismissive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contemptuous

Implies a feeling of deep dislike and disapproval.

disrespectful

Indicates a lack of respect.

derogatory

Expresses a negative or disrespectful opinion.

cavalier

Shows a lack of concern, often inappropriately.

indifferent

Suggests a lack of interest or concern.

patronizing

Treating someone with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority.

scornful

Feeling or expressing contempt or disdain.

supercilious

Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.

flippant

Showing a lack of seriousness that is thought inappropriate.

disdainful

Showing contempt or lack of respect.

FAQs

How to use "dismissive" in a sentence?

You can use "dismissive" to describe someone's attitude or behavior, such as, "The manager was "dismissive" of the employee's concerns.".

What can I say instead of "dismissive"?

You can use alternatives like "contemptuous", "disrespectful", or "indifferent" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "dismissive" or "dismissing"?

"Dismissive" is an adjective describing a state or attitude, while "dismissing" is a verb describing an action. For example, "He gave a "dismissive" response" versus "He was "dismissing" the concerns of his team".

What's the difference between "dismissive" and "condescending"?

"Dismissive" implies a rejection or disregard, while "condescending" suggests a feeling of superiority. A "dismissive" attitude might ignore input, while a "condescending" attitude might belittle the other person.