dismissive

adjective

dis·​mis·​sive dis-ˈmi-siv How to pronounce dismissive (audio)
: serving to dismiss or reject someone or something : having or showing a disdainful attitude toward someone or something regarded as unworthy of serious attention
He responded to the question with a dismissive wave.
In the past, Westerberg had been dismissive of Bob's playing, but he says relistening to the early records gave him a new perspective.Bob Weir
dismissively adverb
Writer Tom Fontana's violent, realistic drama debuted five years ago and uninitiated viewers still dismissively call it "that prison show on HBO." Ian Rothkerch
These are not people who speak dismissively of the brain's capabilities. Brad Leithauser
dismissiveness noun
The work of feminist scholars, both individually and collectively, has been greeted in some quarters with impatience, irritation, dismissiveness, even contempt. Cullen Murphy

Examples of dismissive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That might sound dismissive considering the best OLED TVs are already searingly bright in a vacuum. Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2025 The 39-year-old man turned to Reddit this week to appeal for online verdicts after sharing his concerns about his wife's increasingly dismissive attitude towards their 10-year relationship. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 On the witness stand, former House Speaker Michael Madigan's dismissive depiction of his close friendship... Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025 Perhaps your manager lacks expertise in critical areas, dodges accountability, or communicates in a way that feels dismissive or unclear. Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dismissive 

Word History

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dismissive was in 1645

Dictionary Entries Near dismissive

Cite this Entry

“Dismissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismissive. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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