Dismiss vs. Discard — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 25, 2024
Dismiss generally relates to rejecting something or someone officially, often in legal or organizational contexts, while discard involves throwing something away because it is no longer useful or wanted.
Difference Between Dismiss and Discard
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Key Differences
Dismiss is often used in formal settings like courts or workplaces, where an authority figure formally rejects or terminates something or someone, such as dismissing a case or an employee. On the other hand, discard is used more broadly and typically refers to the act of getting rid of something that is no longer needed, such as discarding old clothing or rubbish.
In legal contexts, to dismiss means to formally decide that something is unworthy of consideration, such as a judge dismissing charges against a defendant. Whereas, discard has no such connotations in law and is rarely used in this context, focusing instead on the physical act of throwing away.
Dismiss can also imply a psychological dismissal, where one might dismiss another's opinions or concerns, showing a disregard for their validity. On the other hand, discard does not carry this psychological aspect, as it specifically involves the physical disposal of items.
In the workplace, dismissing an employee involves a formal process of termination, often due to performance issues or redundancy. In contrast, discarding office supplies involves removing physical items that are no longer functional or necessary, without the formalities involved in human resource management.
Dismiss can also occur in sports, such as a player being dismissed from the game for certain violations, indicating a formal and often temporary exclusion. Discard, however, is not used in this context and remains strictly related to the disposal of objects.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To reject or terminate officially.
To throw away as no longer useful.
Usage Context
Legal, workplace, psychological.
Physical disposal, general use.
Connotation
Formal and often authoritative.
Practical and utilitarian.
Example in Sports
A player dismissed for fouls.
Not applicable to sports.
Psychological Use
Dismissing ideas or concerns.
Does not apply psychologically.
Compare with Definitions
Dismiss
To expel from a place.
The student was dismissed from school for the day.
Discard
To throw away something unwanted.
He discarded the old newspapers.
Dismiss
To fire from a job.
She was dismissed from her position for misconduct.
Discard
In card games, to throw out a card from one's hand.
She discarded a queen, hoping to draw a spade.
Dismiss
To send away.
The judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence.
Discard
To remove from a set or collection.
She discarded several dresses from her closet during spring cleaning.
Dismiss
To reject an idea or proposal.
The committee dismissed the suggestion without further discussion.
Discard
To get rid of as useless or undesirable.
Companies often discard outdated equipment.
Dismiss
To disregard; ignore.
He dismissed the criticism as unfounded.
Discard
To reject an idea or plan.
The strategy was discarded after new information came to light.
Dismiss
Order or allow to leave; send away
She dismissed the taxi at the corner of the road
Discard
To throw away; reject.
Dismiss
Treat as unworthy of serious consideration
It would be easy to dismiss him as all brawn and no brain
Discard
To throw out (a playing card) from one's hand.
Dismiss
To end the employment or service of; discharge.
Discard
To play (a card other than a trump) from a suit different from that of the card led.
Dismiss
To direct or allow to leave
Dismissed troops after the inspection.
Dismissed the student after reprimanding him.
Discard
To discard a playing card.
Dismiss
To stop considering; rid one's mind of; dispel
Dismissed all thoughts of running for office.
Discard
The act of discarding in a card game.
Dismiss
To refuse to accept or recognize; reject
Dismissed the claim as highly improbable.
Discard
A discarded playing card.
Dismiss
(Law) To adjudicate (a cause of action) as insufficient to proceed further in court because of some deficiency in law or fact.
Discard
One that is discarded or rejected.
Dismiss
To eject (a player or coach) for the remainder of a game.
Discard
(transitive) To throw away, to reject.
Dismiss
To put out (a batter) in cricket.
Discard
To make a discard; to throw out a card.
Dismiss
(transitive) To discharge; to end the employment or service of.
The company dismissed me after less than a year.
Discard
To dismiss from employment, confidence, or favour; to discharge.
Dismiss
(transitive) To order to leave.
The soldiers were dismissed after the parade.
Discard
Anything discarded.
Dismiss
(transitive) To dispel; to rid one’s mind of.
He dismissed all thoughts of acting again.
Discard
A discarded playing card in a card game.
Dismiss
(transitive) To reject; to refuse to accept.
The court dismissed the case.
Discard
(programming) A temporary variable used to receive a value of no importance and unable to be read later.
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.
Discard
7: With .NET and .NET Core (page 120)
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.
Discard
To throw out of one's hand, as superfluous cards; to lay aside (a card or cards).
Dismiss
To get a batsman out.
He was dismissed for 99 runs.
Discard
To cast off as useless or as no longer of service; to dismiss from employment, confidence, or favor; to discharge; to turn away.
They blame the favorites, and think it nothing extraordinary that the queen should . . . resolve to discard them.
Dismiss
To give someone a red card; to send off.
Discard
To put or thrust away; to reject.
A man discards the follies of boyhood.
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.
Discard
To make a discard.
Dismiss
To discard; to remove or discharge from office, service, or employment; as, the king dismisses his ministers; the matter dismisses his servant.
Discard
The act of discarding; also, the card or cards discarded.
Dismiss
To lay aside or reject as unworthy of attentions or regard, as a petition or motion in court.
Discard
Anything that is cast aside or discarded
Dismiss
Dismission.
Discard
(cards) the act of throwing out a useless card or to failing to follow suit
Dismiss
Bar from attention or consideration;
She dismissed his advances
Discard
Getting rid something that is regarded as useless or undesirable
Dismiss
Cease to consider; put out of judicial consideration;
This case is dismissed!
Discard
Throw or cast away;
Put away your worries
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
Common Curiosities
Is "discard" ever used metaphorically?
While primarily used literally for throwing things away, "discard" can metaphorically refer to the abandonment of ideas or plans, though this is less common than its literal use.
What does it mean to dismiss someone's opinion?
To dismiss someone’s opinion means to regard it as unworthy of consideration, essentially ignoring or minimizing its importance.
Can "dismiss" be applied to objects as well as people?
Typically, "dismiss" is used for people or ideas, not objects. It suggests removing someone from a position or disregarding an idea, rather than physically discarding something.
Can "discard" imply a temporary removal?
No, "discard" typically implies a permanent removal, suggesting that the item is no longer required or is intended to be thrown away permanently.
How does the usage of "discard" in games differ from its general use?
In games, particularly card games, "discard" means to remove a card from play, usually placing it into a discard pile. This usage highlights strategy rather than disposal.
How do "dismiss" and "discard" differ in terms of finality?
"Dismiss" can be temporary or reversible, especially in contexts like suspensions. "Discard" implies a more final action, as it involves getting rid of something permanently.
What are the implications of being dismissed from a job?
Being dismissed from a job usually carries a negative implication, suggesting termination due to poor performance or misconduct.
What legal consequences can follow from dismissing an employee?
Dismissing an employee can lead to legal consequences if not done according to employment law, potentially resulting in claims of unfair dismissal or discrimination.
Are there ethical considerations to keep in mind when discarding electronic devices?
Yes, ethical and environmental considerations are crucial when discarding electronic devices, as improper disposal can lead to pollution and waste of resources.
In what situations might a legal case be dismissed?
A legal case might be dismissed due to insufficient evidence, procedural errors, or if the plaintiff chooses to withdraw the case.
Can "discard" be used in a positive context?
It can be seen as positive when it involves removing unnecessary or burdensome items, leading to decluttering or improved efficiency.
How does culture influence the perception of dismissing employees?
Cultural norms greatly influence how dismissal is perceived, with some cultures viewing it as a necessary business decision and others seeing it as a last resort due to the social stigma attached to losing a job.
Is there an environmental impact associated with discarding items?
Yes, improperly discarding items, especially non-biodegradable products, can have a significant environmental impact, contributing to pollution and waste.
What emotional impact can dismissing someone have?
Dismissing someone, especially in personal or professional settings, can be emotionally damaging and may lead to feelings of rejection or inadequacy.
What does it mean to dismiss a suggestion in a meeting?
To dismiss a suggestion in a meeting means to reject it without significant consideration, often indicating that it does not align with the current agenda or priorities.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
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.
