Dismiss vs. Disregard

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 29, 2023
Dismiss implies a conscious, active removal or rejection of something or someone, often from a position or consideration. Disregard means to pay no attention to, usually passively ignoring something or someone.

Key Differences
Dismiss and disregard both pertain to ignoring or neglecting something, but they differ in intent and scope. Dismiss generally implies an active decision to remove or reject something. For example, a manager can dismiss an employee. Disregard, on the other hand, is more passive and involves ignoring or not paying attention to something or someone.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
In everyday language, dismiss and disregard can often be used interchangeably, but their nuances become important in specific contexts. For example, in a court of law, a judge would dismiss a case, not disregard it, because the action is formal and deliberate. Conversely, you would disregard a distracting noise, not dismiss it, as there's no formal action being taken.

Janet White
Sep 17, 2023
Dismiss usually involves a following action or consequence, like being removed from a job. Disregard doesn't necessarily imply that anything will happen as a result. You could disregard someone's advice without any formal or immediate consequence.

Harlon Moss
Sep 17, 2023
When talking about ideas or suggestions, to dismiss something often means you've considered it and deemed it unworthy of further attention. Disregard, however, may imply that you didn't give the matter any thought or consideration at all. One can disregard safety warnings, but dismissing them usually means you've evaluated and rejected their significance.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Dismiss is often used in formal, legal, or institutional contexts, like dismissing a case or an employee. It carries with it a certain authority. Disregard is less formal and could apply to anything that can be ignored, such as disregarding a casual piece of advice.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Dismiss and Disregard Definitions
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Dismiss
To decide not to think about or consider.
She dismissed his comments as irrelevant.

Samantha Walker
Sep 17, 2023
Dismiss
To terminate the employment of.
The company dismissed several employees.

Harlon Moss
Sep 17, 2023
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Dismiss
To direct or allow to leave
Dismissed troops after the inspection.
Dismissed the student after reprimanding him.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Disregard
To show no evidence of attention concerning (something)
Conduct that disregards risks to others.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
To stop considering; rid one's mind of; dispel
Dismissed all thoughts of running for office.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
To refuse to accept or recognize; reject
Dismissed the claim as highly improbable.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
(Law) To adjudicate (a cause of action) as insufficient to proceed further in court because of some deficiency in law or fact.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Disregard
The act or state of deliberately not paying attention or caring about; misregard.
The government's disregard for the needs of disabled people is outrageous.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Disregard
Not to regard; to pay no heed to; to omit to take notice of; to neglect to observe; to slight as unworthy of regard or notice; as, to disregard the admonitions of conscience.
Studious of good, man disregarded fame.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
(transitive) To discharge; to end the employment or service of.
The company dismissed me after less than a year.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Disregard
The act of disregarding, or the state of being disregarded; intentional neglect; omission of notice; want of attention; slight.
The disregard of experience.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
(transitive) To order to leave.
The soldiers were dismissed after the parade.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
(transitive) To dispel; to rid one’s mind of.
He dismissed all thoughts of acting again.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
(transitive) To reject; to refuse to accept.
The court dismissed the case.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
(transitive) To invalidate; to treat as unworthy of serious consideration.
By telling the victim to "get over it", the listener dismissed the victim's feelings.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
(transitive) To send or put away, to discard with disregard, contempt or disdain. (sometimes followed by as).
She dismissed him with a wave of the hand.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
To send away; to give leave of departure; to cause or permit to go; to put away.
He dismissed the assembly.
Dismiss their cares when they dismiss their flock.
Though he soon dismissed himself from state affairs.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
To discard; to remove or discharge from office, service, or employment; as, the king dismisses his ministers; the matter dismisses his servant.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
To lay aside or reject as unworthy of attentions or regard, as a petition or motion in court.

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
Cease to consider; put out of judicial consideration;
This case is dismissed!

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
Stop associating with;
They dropped her after she had a child out of wedlock

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
Terminate the employment of;
The boss fired his secretary today
The company terminated 25% of its workers

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
End one's encounter with somebody by causing or permitting the person to leave;
I was dismissed after I gave my report

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
Dismiss
Declare void;
The President dissolved the parliament and called for new elections

Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023
FAQs
What does dismiss mean?
Dismiss means to consciously remove or reject something or someone, often following consideration.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Can you use dismiss and disregard interchangeably?
They can often be used interchangeably, but they have nuances that make them different in specific contexts.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Does disregard imply ignoring?
Yes, disregard usually implies ignoring or paying no attention to something or someone.

Janet White
Sep 17, 2023
Is dismiss a more formal action?
Generally, yes. Dismiss is often used in formal, legal, or institutional settings.

Samantha Walker
Sep 17, 2023
Does disregard mean you didn't consider?
Often, yes. Disregard may imply you didn't give the matter any thought.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Does dismiss require authority?
Often, yes. Dismiss implies a level of authority to remove or reject.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Can you dismiss without considering?
Generally, no. Dismiss usually implies some level of consideration before removal or rejection.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
What does disregard mean?
Disregard means to pay no attention to or ignore something or someone, often passively.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Does disregard involve active ignoring?
Generally, no. Disregard is more often a passive form of ignoring.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
What's the key difference between the two?
The key difference is in the level of activity: dismiss is active and often involves consideration, while disregard is passive and may not.

Aimie Carlson
Sep 17, 2023
Are these words context-dependent?
Yes, the nuances between dismiss and disregard become important in specific contexts.

Samantha Walker
Sep 17, 2023
Does dismiss have consequences?
Often, yes. Dismissing usually involves a following action or consequence.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Can disregard be unintentional?
Yes, one can disregard something without intending to.

Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Does disregard have consequences?
Not necessarily. Disregard doesn't imply any formal or immediate consequence.

Harlon Moss
Sep 17, 2023
Are they synonyms?
While similar, they are not perfect synonyms due to differences in activity level, formality, and intent.

Janet White
Sep 17, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.

Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
