dismissive
adjective
dis·mis·sive
dis-ˈmi-siv 
: 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
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
Ian Rothkerch
These are not people who speak dismissively of the brain's capabilities.
—Brad Leithauser
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
Cullen Murphy
Examples of dismissive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, both Jackie and Chantel need to work together to resolve their issues, rather than resorting to screaming matches, dismissive walkouts, and physical altercations.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 24 July 2025
Patients, many of whom are living with chronic, complex conditions, may receive care that is ineffective, inappropriate or dismissive.
—Hany Demian, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Her aunt doesn’t have time to take her sightseeing, her cousin Céline is cool and dismissive, and her grandmother, who runs an antique shop, is distraught when a precious family heirloom—a drawing by Matisse—goes missing.
—Caroline Carlson
june 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
Trump was dismissive of Carlson’s viewpoint when reporters asked him to comment during the 2025 G7 Summit on Monday.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismissive
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.
Dominique Fluker, Essence, 24 July 2025
Patients, many of whom are living with chronic, complex conditions, may receive care that is ineffective, inappropriate or dismissive.
—Hany Demian, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Her aunt doesn’t have time to take her sightseeing, her cousin Céline is cool and dismissive, and her grandmother, who runs an antique shop, is distraught when a precious family heirloom—a drawing by Matisse—goes missing.
—Caroline Carlson
june 30, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
Trump was dismissive of Carlson’s viewpoint when reporters asked him to comment during the 2025 G7 Summit on Monday.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dismissive
Cite this Entry
“Dismissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dismissive. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share