dismissiveness
Brushing others off
Dismissiveness is the quality of treating something or someone as unworthy of serious consideration.
It shows up in tone, gesture, or word choice—a wave of the hand, a curt reply, a refusal to engage.
Her dismissiveness toward the proposal made it clear she wasn't interested in compromise.
The term often carries a negative charge, suggesting arrogance or closed-mindedness rather than justified skepticism.
Hostile dismissive feeling
- disdainScornful disregard
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- contemptDisdainful disregard
- sneeringExpressing scorn facially
scoffing · mockery · belittlement · condescension · patronizing · snobbery · haughtiness · superiority
Abrupt, curt rejection
- snubDeliberate dismissive rejection
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- spurningContemptuously refusing or dismissing
- cold-shoulderIntentional social rejection
turndown · refusal · exclusion · ostracism · stonewalling · blackballing · shunning · repudiation
Absence of feeling
- unconcernAbsence of worry
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- aloofnessEmotional unavailability, standoffishness
- nonchalanceCalm, casual composure
impassivity · coolness · insensitivity · uninterest · carelessness · blankness · unresponsiveness · stoicism
Refuse to notice
- overlookMiss or commanding view
- neglectFailure to provide care
- brush-offAbrupt, dismissive rejection
- inattentionLack of focus
oversight · bypass · minimizing · discounting · hand-waving · sidelining · marginalization · trivialization
scorn
Hostile dismissive feeling
sneering · scoffing · mockery · belittlement · condescension · patronizing · snobbery · haughtiness · superiority · arrogance
rebuff
Abrupt, curt rejection
- snubDeliberate dismissive rejection
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
- spurningContemptuously refusing or dismissing
cold-shoulder · turndown · refusal · exclusion · ostracism · stonewalling · blackballing · shunning · repudiation · denial
apathy
Absence of feeling
- unconcernAbsence of worry
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- aloofnessEmotional unavailability, standoffishness
nonchalance · impassivity · coolness · insensitivity · uninterest · carelessness · blankness · unresponsiveness · stoicism · blasé
ignore
Refuse to notice
inattention · oversight · bypass · minimizing · discounting · hand-waving · sidelining · marginalization · trivialization · undervaluing
- bad attitudesnegativity, cynicism, pessimism, hostility, contempt
- contemptcontempt, scorn, disdain, despise, derision
- indifferenceapathy, indifference, unconcern, disinterest, nonchalance
- mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
- petty behaviorsspite, malice, meanness, nastiness, bitterness
- red flagsred flags, warning signs, warning, caution, alarm
dismissivenessattentiveness
Concentrated awareness of surroundings
engagement · heedfulness · responsiveness · mindfulness · presence
dismissivenessrespect
Regard with honor
respectfulness · regard · deference · esteem · consideration
dismissivenessreceptiveness
Willingness to accept ideas
receptivity · open-mindedness · openness · responsiveness · thoughtfulness
dismiss, mission, commission, permission, missile, admission, dismissal, submission, transmission