Dismissal vs. Termination — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
Dismissal is the act of sending someone away, often due to inadequacy; Termination is the act of ending something, especially employment. Both indicate a conclusion but may vary in context.
Difference Between Dismissal and Termination
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Key Differences
Dismissal typically denotes the act of sending someone away or rejecting something, usually due to some form of inadequacy or unsuitability. Termination, while also an ending, often has a broader scope and primarily refers to the end of something, particularly a contract or employment.
In employment contexts, both Dismissal and Termination can imply an end to an employee's position. However, Dismissal often emphasizes the employee's fault or failure, while Termination might be due to various reasons, not solely the employee's shortcomings.
Dismissal can also refer to the act of discharging a subject or matter without further consideration. For instance, a court case might face Dismissal. Termination, in contrast, doesn't typically carry this meaning. Instead, it’s more about the conclusive ending of processes or agreements.
In everyday language, Dismissal often implies a rejection or disregard of someone or something. Termination is less about rejection and more about a conclusion or cessation. It's more final and often has more gravitas.
Although Dismissal and Termination can sometimes be used interchangeably, especially in employment contexts, they have nuanced differences. The former leans toward rejection or inadequacy, while the latter leans toward a neutral or broader ending.
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Comparison Chart
Main Association
Rejection or sending away due to inadequacy
Ending something, especially employment or contract
Common Contexts
Employment, court cases
Employment, contracts, agreements
Implies
Fault or failure
Conclusive ending
Connotation
Often negative
Neutral or broader
Usage
Can be a decision or action
More about a process or state ending
Compare with Definitions
Dismissal
Rejection of an idea or claim.
The Dismissal of his proposal was expected.
Termination
The act of ending something.
The Termination of the project was abrupt.
Dismissal
A discharge from employment due to inadequacy.
His consistent tardiness led to his Dismissal.
Termination
Discharge from employment.
The economic downturn led to several Terminations.
Dismissal
Ending a court case without a full trial.
The case faced Dismissal due to insufficient evidence.
Termination
Ending a connection or relationship.
The Termination of their partnership was amicable.
Dismissal
The act of dismissing
He was disappointed by the committee's dismissal of his request.
Termination
The action of terminating something or the fact of being terminated
The termination of a contract
Dismissal
The condition of being dismissed
She protested her dismissal from the job.
Termination
A word's final syllable or letters or letter, especially when constituting an element in inflection or derivation.
Dismissal
An order or notice of discharge, as from a position
The ambassador's dismissal was sent by telegram.
Termination
An ending or result of a specified kind
A good result and a happy termination
Dismissal
The act of sending someone away.
Termination
The act of terminating or the condition of being terminated.
Dismissal
Deprivation of office; the fact or process of being fired from employment or stripped of rank.
Termination
The end of something in time; the conclusion.
Dismissal
A written or spoken statement of such an act.
Termination
An end of something in space; a limit or edge.
Dismissal
Release from confinement; liberation.
Termination
A result; an outcome.
Dismissal
Removal from consideration; putting something out of one's mind, mentally disregarding something or someone.
Termination
(Linguistics) The end of a word, as a suffix, inflectional ending, or final morpheme.
Dismissal
(legal) The rejection of a legal proceeding, or a claim or charge made therein.
Termination
The process of terminating or the state of being terminated.
Dismissal
(cricket) The event of a batsman getting out; a wicket.
Termination
The process of firing an employee; ending one's employment at a business for any reason.
Dismissal
(Christianity) The final blessing said by a priest or minister at the end of a religious service.
Termination
An end in time; a conclusion.
Dismissal
Dismission; discharge.
Officeholders were commanded faithfully to enforce it, upon pain of immediate dismissal.
Termination
An end in space; an edge or limit.
Dismissal
A judgment disposing of the matter without a trial
Termination
An outcome or result.
Dismissal
Official notice that you have been fired from your job
Termination
(grammar) The last part of a word; an ending, a desinence; a suffix.
Dismissal
Permission to go; the sending away of someone
Termination
(medical) An induced abortion.
Dismissal
The termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart)
Termination
A word, a term.
Dismissal
The act of treating something as unworthy of serious consideration.
The Dismissal of her concerns was rude.
Termination
The ending up of a polypeptid chain.
Termination
The act of terminating, or of limiting or setting bounds; the act of ending or concluding; as, a voluntary termination of hostilities.
Termination
That which ends or bounds; limit in space or extent; bound; end; as, the termination of a line.
Termination
End in time or existence; as, the termination of the year, or of life; the termination of happiness.
Termination
End; conclusion; result.
Termination
Last purpose of design.
Termination
A word; a term.
Termination
The ending of a word; a final syllable or letter; the part added to a stem in inflection.
Termination
A coming to an end of a contract period;
The expiry of his driver's license
Termination
A place where something ends or is complete
Termination
Something that results;
He listened for the results on the radio
Termination
The end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme);
I don't like words that have -ism as an ending
Termination
The act of ending something;
The termination of the agreement
Termination
The conclusion of a condition or process.
The Termination of the agreement was mutual.
Termination
The point where something ends or finishes.
The Termination point of the marathon was the city square.
Common Curiosities
Can Dismissal and Termination be used interchangeably in employment contexts?
Often, yes, but Dismissal implies fault, while Termination can be for various reasons.
Is Dismissal always negative?
While often negative, context matters. A court case Dismissal might be positive for the defendant.
What's a synonym for Dismissal?
"Discharge" can be a synonym, especially in employment contexts.
Can a contract face Dismissal?
Typically, contracts are "terminated" not "dismissed."
Is Dismissal always the fault of the dismissed?
Often it implies fault, but context matters.
Can you "dismiss" an idea?
Yes, Dismissal can imply rejecting or disregarding an idea.
Which word is stronger, Dismissal or Termination?
Both are strong but in different ways. Dismissal implies rejection, while Termination indicates a definitive end.
Is a "school Dismissal" about students being sent away?
Yes, it refers to students being let out, not a negative context.
Does Termination always mean the end of employment?
No, while commonly used in that context, Termination refers to ending various things.
Is "ending a subscription" considered Termination?
Yes, ending subscriptions can be termed as Termination.
Is Termination more formal than Dismissal?
Both are formal, but Termination is broader, while Dismissal often has a specific context.
Can a process undergo Termination?
Yes, processes, tasks, or operations can be terminated.
Which term is more versatile?
Termination is more versatile, covering a range of endings, while Dismissal is more specific.
Can a relationship face Termination?
Yes, relationships can end or "terminate," but it's a formal way to express it.
Do Dismissal and Termination have legal implications?
Both can, especially in employment or contractual contexts.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
