To reject, disregard, or refuse to consider something; to send someone away or remove them from a position. To treat as unworthy of serious consideration.
From Latin 'dismissus,' past participle of 'dimittere' (to send away), combining 'dis-' (away) and 'mittere' (to send). Originally meant to send away physically, but evolved to include rejecting ideas or removing from office. Entered English in the 15th century.
Think of dismiss as sending something away like unwanted mail - you're not just ignoring it, you're actively rejecting it. A judge dismisses a case, a boss dismisses an employee, and you dismiss bad ideas!
Dismiss carries historical baggage from formal institutions (law, medicine, academia) where women's concerns were systematically discounted. Dismissal operated as a gatekeeping mechanism against women's participation.
Use 'dismiss' neutrally for ideas/evidence, but be aware of power dynamics—ensure marginalized voices aren't reflexively dismissed. Pair with explicit reasoning.
["reject (with stated grounds)","set aside (pending evidence)","decline"]
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