Dismiss vs. Disregard — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
Dismiss is to send away, reject, or terminate. Disregard is to ignore or pay no attention to.
Difference Between Dismiss and Disregard
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Dismiss means to send someone away, reject a concept, or terminate an occurrence. It often implies an authoritative or formal action. Disregard, however, means to ignore or pay no attention to something, often suggesting a lack of interest or concern.
Dismiss can imply a dismissal from a job, ending a meeting, or rejecting a proposal. It carries a sense of finality or conclusion. Disregard is more about neglecting or overlooking something, often without any formal or definitive ending.
In a courtroom, a judge may dismiss a case, implying a formal and legal termination. On the other hand, the same judge might disregard a minor procedural error, meaning they choose to ignore it without any formal action.
In the context of personal interactions, to dismiss someone is often to reject or refuse to acknowledge their presence or value. To disregard someone’s advice is more about choosing to ignore or not follow it.
The usage of "dismiss" is often associated with an active decision or action, whereas "disregard" is more passive, involving the absence of action or attention.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To send away or reject.
To ignore or not pay attention.
Connotation
Often authoritative or final.
Suggests neglect or overlooking.
Usage Context
Termination, rejection.
Ignoring, not following advice.
Action Type
Active decision or action.
Passive, lack of action.
Formality
Often formal or definitive.
Less formal, casual neglect.
Compare with Definitions
Dismiss
Dismiss: To send someone away.
The teacher dismissed the class early.
Disregard
To fail to consider or recognize.
She disregarded the signs of distress.
Dismiss
Dismiss: To regard as unworthy of consideration.
He dismissed the rumors as baseless.
Disregard
To treat as unimportant.
He disregarded his health advice.
Dismiss
Dismiss: To terminate or end something.
The project was dismissed due to lack of funding.
Disregard
To neglect or overlook.
The company disregarded safety protocols.
Dismiss
Dismiss: To release from duty or obligation.
Soldiers were dismissed after the parade.
Disregard
To pay no attention or heed to; ignore
We disregarded your advice.
Dismiss
Order or allow to leave; send away
She dismissed the taxi at the corner of the road
Disregard
To show no evidence of attention concerning (something)
Conduct that disregards risks to others.
Dismiss
Treat as unworthy of serious consideration
It would be easy to dismiss him as all brawn and no brain
Disregard
To treat without proper respect or attentiveness.
Dismiss
To end the employment or service of; discharge.
Disregard
Lack of thoughtful attention or due regard.
Dismiss
To direct or allow to leave
Dismissed troops after the inspection.
Dismissed the student after reprimanding him.
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.
Dismiss
To stop considering; rid one's mind of; dispel
Dismissed all thoughts of running for office.
Disregard
(transitive) To ignore; pay no attention to.
Dismiss
To refuse to accept or recognize; reject
Dismissed the claim as highly improbable.
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.
Dismiss
(Law) To adjudicate (a cause of action) as insufficient to proceed further in court because of some deficiency in law or fact.
Disregard
The act of disregarding, or the state of being disregarded; intentional neglect; omission of notice; want of attention; slight.
The disregard of experience.
Dismiss
To eject (a player or coach) for the remainder of a game.
Disregard
Lack of attention and due care
Dismiss
To put out (a batter) in cricket.
Disregard
Willful lack of care and attention
Dismiss
(transitive) To discharge; to end the employment or service of.
The company dismissed me after less than a year.
Disregard
Refuse to acknowledge;
She cut him dead at the meeting
Dismiss
(transitive) To order to leave.
The soldiers were dismissed after the parade.
Disregard
Bar from attention or consideration;
She dismissed his advances
Dismiss
(transitive) To dispel; to rid one’s mind of.
He dismissed all thoughts of acting again.
Disregard
Give little or no attention to;
Disregard the errors
Dismiss
(transitive) To reject; to refuse to accept.
The court dismissed the case.
Disregard
To ignore or pay no attention.
She disregarded the warning signs.
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.
Disregard
To show a lack of respect or concern.
They disregarded the rules of the game.
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.
Dismiss
To get a batsman out.
He was dismissed for 99 runs.
Dismiss
To give someone a red card; to send off.
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.
Dismiss
To discard; to remove or discharge from office, service, or employment; as, the king dismisses his ministers; the matter dismisses his servant.
Dismiss
To lay aside or reject as unworthy of attentions or regard, as a petition or motion in court.
Dismiss
Dismission.
Dismiss
Bar from attention or consideration;
She dismissed his advances
Dismiss
Cease to consider; put out of judicial consideration;
This case is dismissed!
Dismiss
Stop associating with;
They dropped her after she had a child out of wedlock
Dismiss
Terminate the employment of;
The boss fired his secretary today
The company terminated 25% of its workers
Dismiss
End one's encounter with somebody by causing or permitting the person to leave;
I was dismissed after I gave my report
Dismiss
Declare void;
The President dissolved the parliament and called for new elections
Dismiss
Dismiss: To reject a proposal or idea.
She dismissed his suggestion without consideration.
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to disregard something?
It means to ignore it or not pay attention to it.
What does it mean to dismiss someone?
It means to send them away or reject their presence.
What is a common usage of dismiss in education?
Dismissing a class, meaning ending the class.
Is dismiss always negative?
Often, but it can be neutral, like dismissing a class.
What's a formal use of dismiss?
In legal terms, like dismissing a charge or case.
Can you dismiss an idea?
Yes, it means to reject or not accept the idea.
Is disregarding advice the same as not following it?
Essentially, yes, it means you’re ignoring it.
Is disregard always intentional?
It can be both intentional or unintentional.
Can a law be dismissed?
Yes, in legal terms, it can mean terminating a case.
Can you use dismiss and disregard interchangeably?
Not usually, as they have different nuances.
Can an employee be dismissed?
Yes, meaning they are terminated or fired.
Can disregard be passive?
Yes, it often involves a lack of action.
Is dismissing someone the same as ignoring them?
Not exactly; dismissing is more active, while ignoring can be more passive.
Does disregard imply disrespect?
It can, especially if it's intentional.
Is it bad to disregard warnings?
Generally, yes, it can lead to negative consequences.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
