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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sep 17, 2023

Comparison Chart

Level of Activity

Active

Passive

Sep 17, 2023

ADVERTISEMENT

Formality

More formal

Less formal

Sep 17, 2023

Intent

Often deliberate

May be unintentional

Sep 17, 2023

Consequence

Often has one

Less likely to have one

Sep 17, 2023

Consideration

Usually involves it

May not involve it

Sep 17, 2023

Dismiss and Disregard Definitions

Dismiss

To order or allow to leave.

The teacher dismissed the class early.

Sep 17, 2023

Disregard

To have no care or concern for.

They disregarded her feelings.

Sep 17, 2023

ADVERTISEMENT

Dismiss

To decide not to think about or consider.

She dismissed his comments as irrelevant.

Samantha Walker

Sep 17, 2023

Disregard

To ignore or neglect deliberately.

He disregarded the rules.

Samantha Walker

Sep 17, 2023

Dismiss

To terminate the employment of.

The company dismissed several employees.

Sep 17, 2023

Disregard

To treat as unworthy of consideration.

She disregarded his advice.

Sep 17, 2023

Dismiss

To put out of judicial consideration.

The judge dismissed the case.

Sep 17, 2023

Disregard

To overlook or neglect.

I disregarded the typos in the email.

Sep 17, 2023

ADVERTISEMENT

Dismiss

To reject serious consideration.

The idea was quickly dismissed.

Sep 17, 2023

Disregard

To pay no attention to.

He disregarded the warning signs.

Samantha Walker

Sep 17, 2023

Dismiss

To end the employment or service of; discharge.

Apr 30, 2023

Disregard

To pay no attention or heed to; ignore

We disregarded your advice.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

To direct or allow to leave

Dismissed troops after the inspection.

Dismissed the student after reprimanding him.

Apr 30, 2023

Disregard

To show no evidence of attention concerning (something)

Conduct that disregards risks to others.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

To stop considering; rid one's mind of; dispel

Dismissed all thoughts of running for office.

Apr 30, 2023

Disregard

To treat without proper respect or attentiveness.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

To refuse to accept or recognize; reject

Dismissed the claim as highly improbable.

Apr 30, 2023

Disregard

Lack of thoughtful attention or due regard.

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.

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.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

To eject (a player or coach) for the remainder of a game.

Apr 30, 2023

Disregard

(transitive) To ignore; pay no attention to.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

To put out (a batter) in cricket.

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.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

(transitive) To discharge; to end the employment or service of.

The company dismissed me after less than a year.

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.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

(transitive) To order to leave.

The soldiers were dismissed after the parade.

Apr 30, 2023

Disregard

Lack of attention and due care

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

(transitive) To dispel; to rid one’s mind of.

He dismissed all thoughts of acting again.

Apr 30, 2023

Disregard

Willful lack of care and attention

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

(transitive) To reject; to refuse to accept.

The court dismissed the case.

Apr 30, 2023

Disregard

Refuse to acknowledge;

She cut him dead at the meeting

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.

Apr 30, 2023

Disregard

Bar from attention or consideration;

She dismissed his advances

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.

Apr 30, 2023

Disregard

Give little or no attention to;

Disregard the errors

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

To get a batsman out.

He was dismissed for 99 runs.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

To give someone a red card; to send off.

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.

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.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

To lay aside or reject as unworthy of attentions or regard, as a petition or motion in court.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

Dismission.

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

Bar from attention or consideration;

She dismissed his advances

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

Cease to consider; put out of judicial consideration;

This case is dismissed!

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

Stop associating with;

They dropped her after she had a child out of wedlock

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

Terminate the employment of;

The boss fired his secretary today

The company terminated 25% of its workers

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

Apr 30, 2023

Dismiss

Declare void;

The President dissolved the parliament and called for new elections

Apr 30, 2023

FAQs

What does dismiss mean?

Dismiss means to consciously remove or reject something or someone, often following consideration.

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.

Sep 17, 2023

Does disregard imply ignoring?

Yes, disregard usually implies ignoring or paying no attention to something or someone.

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.

Sep 17, 2023

Does dismiss require authority?

Often, yes. Dismiss implies a level of authority to remove or reject.

Sep 17, 2023

Can you dismiss without considering?

Generally, no. Dismiss usually implies some level of consideration before removal or rejection.

Sep 17, 2023

What does disregard mean?

Disregard means to pay no attention to or ignore something or someone, often passively.

Sep 17, 2023

Does disregard involve active ignoring?

Generally, no. Disregard is more often a passive form of ignoring.

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.

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.

Sep 17, 2023

Can disregard be unintentional?

Yes, one can disregard something without intending to.

Sep 17, 2023

Does disregard have consequences?

Not necessarily. Disregard doesn't imply any formal or immediate consequence.

Sep 17, 2023

Are they synonyms?

While similar, they are not perfect synonyms due to differences in activity level, formality, and intent.

Sep 17, 2023

🢀 Previous Article

Road vs. Highway

Next Article 🢂

Port vs. Jetty

About Author

Written by

Sawaira 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 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.