dismissing
Letting someone go
Dismissing is the act of sending someone away, ending their employment, or rejecting something as unworthy of consideration.
When you're dismissing an idea, you're treating it as not worth serious attention: She kept dismissing my concerns as overblown.
A judge dismissing a case is formally ending it, usually because the evidence is insufficient.
The word carries connotations of authority—the person doing the dismissing typically has power over what or whom they dismiss.
Abrupt, curt rejection
- brush-offAbrupt, dismissive rejection
- wave-offDismissive hand gesture
- snubDeliberate dismissive rejection
- spurnRefuse with contempt
disregard · ignore · overlook · discount · cold-shoulder · blow-off · write-off · hand-wave
Termination without cause
- terminationAct of ending something
- firingTerminating employment
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
- downsizingReducing workforce or scale
redundancy · furlough · sacking · discharge · notice · outplacement · unemployment · restructuring
Temporary suspension of proceedings
- releaseTo let go
- dispersalSpreading in many directions
- breakupRomantic relationship's termination
- wrapping-upCompleting final stages
excusal · recess · disbanding · conclusion · closing · finale
rebuff
Abrupt, curt rejection
- brush-offAbrupt, dismissive rejection
- wave-offDismissive hand gesture
- snubDeliberate dismissive rejection
spurn · disregard · ignore · overlook · discount · cold-shoulder · blow-off · write-off · hand-wave · eye-roll
layoff
Termination without cause
- terminationAct of ending something
- firingTerminating employment
- severanceTermination pay or disconnection
downsizing · redundancy · furlough · sacking · discharge · notice · outplacement · unemployment · restructuring · cutback
adjournment
Temporary suspension of proceedings
wrapping-up · excusal · recess · disbanding · conclusion · closing · finale
acquittal
Formal clearing of charges
- downplayingminimizing, downplay, trivializing, belittling, soft-pedal
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- offendinginsulting, offending, disrespecting, affronting, slighting
- removalremove, elimination, delete, erasing, erase
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
- driving awayrepelling, banishing, forcing out, warding off, fending off
dismissinghiring
Giving someone work
employing · recruiting · engaging · contracting · onboarding
dismissingconsidering
Mentally evaluating something
accepting · embracing · acknowledging · entertaining · heeding
- dismissive waveGesture rejecting someone's presence