Reject vs. Dismiss — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on January 21, 2024
Reject means to refuse to accept, consider, or use something. Dismiss involves disregarding someone or something as unworthy of consideration.
Difference Between Reject and Dismiss
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Reject implies a deliberate refusal to accept or acknowledge something offered or proposed. Dismiss, however, often implies not giving proper attention or consideration to something or someone.
When someone rejects an idea or proposal, they have considered it but decided it is not acceptable. In contrast, to dismiss something often means it is not given serious consideration or deemed unworthy of it.
Reject is commonly used in contexts like rejecting applications, offers, or concepts after evaluation. Dismiss is often used in contexts where ideas, concerns, or individuals are set aside without substantial consideration.
Rejection carries a sense of finality and decision after consideration. Dismissal can imply a lack of consideration or a refusal to engage with the merit of something or someone.
In relationships or social interactions, reject often implies a refusal to establish or continue a relationship or interaction. Dismiss can mean failing to acknowledge the significance or relevance of someone or their feelings.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Refusal to accept or consider.
Regard as unworthy of consideration.
Context of Use
Applications, offers, ideas after evaluation.
Ideas, concerns, individuals without serious consideration.
Implication
Considered but not acceptable.
Not given serious consideration.
Sense Conveyed
Finality and decision.
Lack of consideration or engagement.
Social/Interpersonal Use
Refusal in relationships or interactions.
Ignoring significance or relevance.
Compare with Definitions
Reject
To deny someone's affection or approach.
He felt hurt when his invitation was rejected.
Dismiss
To decide that something or someone is not important.
He dismissed the rumors as baseless.
Reject
To dismiss as inadequate or unsatisfactory.
The committee rejected the proposal for lack of detail.
Dismiss
To remove someone from employment or position.
The employee was dismissed for misconduct.
Reject
To discard as flawed or unusable.
The factory rejects defective products during quality control.
Dismiss
To end consideration or discussion of something.
The judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence.
Reject
To refuse to consider or believe.
She rejected the notion that luck played a role in her success.
Dismiss
Order or allow to leave; send away
She dismissed the taxi at the corner of the road
Reject
To refuse to accept or acknowledge.
She rejected the job offer due to the location.
Dismiss
Treat as unworthy of serious consideration
It would be easy to dismiss him as all brawn and no brain
Reject
To refuse to accept, submit to, believe, or make use of
He rejected their version of what happened. The store rejected the merchandise because it was damaged.
Dismiss
To end the employment or service of; discharge.
Reject
(transitive) To refuse to accept.
She even rejected my improved offer.
Dismiss
To direct or allow to leave
Dismissed troops after the inspection.
Dismissed the student after reprimanding him.
Reject
(basketball) To block a shot, especially if it sends the ball off the court.
Dismiss
To stop considering; rid one's mind of; dispel
Dismissed all thoughts of running for office.
Reject
To refuse a romantic advance.
I've been rejected three times this week.
Dismiss
To refuse to accept or recognize; reject
Dismissed the claim as highly improbable.
Reject
Something that is rejected.
Dismiss
(Law) To adjudicate (a cause of action) as insufficient to proceed further in court because of some deficiency in law or fact.
Reject
An unpopular person.
Dismiss
To eject (a player or coach) for the remainder of a game.
Reject
(colloquial) A rejected defective product in a production line.
Dismiss
To put out (a batter) in cricket.
Reject
(aviation) A rejected takeoff.
Dismiss
(transitive) To discharge; to end the employment or service of.
The company dismissed me after less than a year.
Reject
To cast from one; to throw away; to discard.
Therefore all this exercise of hunting . . . the Utopians have rejected to their butchers.
Reject me not from among thy children.
Dismiss
(transitive) To order to leave.
The soldiers were dismissed after the parade.
Reject
To refuse to receive or to acknowledge; to decline haughtily or harshly; to repudiate.
That golden scepter which thou didst reject.
Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me.
Dismiss
(transitive) To dispel; to rid one’s mind of.
He dismissed all thoughts of acting again.
Reject
To refuse to grant; as, to reject a prayer or request.
Dismiss
(transitive) To reject; to refuse to accept.
The court dismissed the case.
Reject
The person or thing rejected or set aside as inferior in quality
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.
Reject
Refuse to accept or acknowledge;
I reject the idea of starting a war
The journal rejected the student's paper
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.
Reject
Refuse to accept;
He refused my offer of hospitality
Dismiss
To get a batsman out.
He was dismissed for 99 runs.
Reject
Deem wrong or inappropriate;
I disapprove of her child rearing methods
Dismiss
To give someone a red card; to send off.
Reject
Reject with contempt;
She spurned his advances
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.
Reject
Resist immunologically the introduction of some foreign tissue or organ;
His body rejected the liver of the donor
Dismiss
To discard; to remove or discharge from office, service, or employment; as, the king dismisses his ministers; the matter dismisses his servant.
Reject
Refuse entrance or membership;
They turned away hundreds of fans
Black people were often rejected by country clubs
Dismiss
To lay aside or reject as unworthy of attentions or regard, as a petition or motion in court.
Reject
Dismiss from consideration;
John was ruled out as a possible suspect because he had a strong alibi
This possibility can be eliminated from our consideration
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
To send someone away or allow to leave.
The teacher dismissed the class early.
Dismiss
To reject an idea or proposal with contempt.
She dismissed his suggestion without a second thought.
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to reject something?
It means to refuse to accept or consider it as valid or suitable.
Can you reject a person?
Yes, in the sense of refusing a relationship or proposal.
Is dismissing someone always negative?
Often, it implies a lack of consideration, which can be perceived negatively.
Can you reject an idea?
Yes, after considering it and finding it unsuitable.
What does dismiss mean?
It means to regard something as unworthy of consideration or attention.
Do reject and dismiss mean the same thing?
No, reject involves a decision after consideration, dismiss often involves a lack of consideration.
Can a court dismiss a case?
Yes, if it's deemed not worthy of further consideration or lacks evidence.
Does rejection imply a fault or flaw?
Not necessarily; it often reflects a mismatch of expectations or requirements.
Is rejection always personal?
No, it can be based on objective criteria or situational factors.
Can a proposal be dismissed?
Yes, if it's considered unworthy of serious consideration.
Is rejection a part of the job application process?
Yes, candidates are often rejected after evaluation.
Is dismissing an employee the same as firing?
Essentially, yes, though the terms can have different legal implications.
Can you dismiss someone's feelings?
Yes, but it's often seen as insensitive or inconsiderate.
Can a teacher dismiss a student from class?
Yes, typically for disciplinary reasons or at the end of a lesson.
Does a rejection always require explanation?
Not always, though providing one can be helpful or courteous.
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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.
