dismissivedis‧miss‧ive /dɪsˈmɪsɪv/ adjective 
Some historians have been dismissive of this argument.dismissive gesture/wave/shrug etc Cath spread both hands in a dismissive gesture.—dismissively adverb
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Collins has been criticized for her dismissive attitude toward the investigations.
- She was very dismissive when I tried to tell her about my problems at work.
- Teenagers who have jobs can be quite dismissive of their peers who don't.
- A dismissive gesture but to Ruth one he didn't relish doing very much.
- According to one report, Vincent was as dismissive of academic study as he had been in Amsterdam.
- Even Marxist critics are generally dismissive.
- It's so weak, so dismissive, like the girl's body was a cupcake and you took a nibble.
- Pentecostals have endured more than their share of dismissive scholarship, condescending analysis, and popular disdain.
- She makes a small, dismissive, explosion with her lips, like a gentle fart.
- Some of those who are dismissive of food intolerance, see hyperventilation as a widespread cause of vague, multiple symptoms.
- The general weakness in recruitment planning is not helped by such a dismissive attitude to training for administrative functions by clubs.
Longman Language Activatorwhen someone speaks to you in a rude way, using very few words
replying in very few words in a way that seems rude: · She answered their questions with a curt "No comment".· Polly was curt and businesslike with her clients.· Her story was sent back with a curt rejection note.
a terse message, reply, statement etc uses very few words and is deliberately intended to make people stop speaking to you or asking you questions: · The terse announcement gave no reason for Harris's resignation.· "We're in the process of negotiations," Russo said in a terse statement to reporters.
using few words and saying directly what you think, because that is the way you usually speak, even though it often seems rude to other people: · Mathison's brusque style tends to irritate colleagues.· In public he appears brusque and dismissive, but he is in fact a very caring person.
treating someone's ideas, suggestions, or problems as if they are not at all important or serious, especially by dealing with them in very few words and then changing the subject: · She was very dismissive when I tried to tell her about my problems at work.dismissive of: · Teenagers who have jobs can be quite dismissive of their peers who don't.
to speak to someone in a rude way, using very few words, especially because you are angry with them: · I'm sorry if I was short with you, but I was worried about my interview.· She was very short with me. I wonder if I've offended her in some way.
seeming rude and unfriendly because you answer questions or talk to someone in a quick, direct way, especially because you do not want to waste time in friendly conversation: · "It won't work," Mitchell says in his abrupt, no-nonsense style.· His new boss was abrupt and didn't seem interested in his proposals.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Cath spread both hands in a dismissive gesture.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
refusing to consider someone or something seriouslydismissive of Cath spread both hands in a dismissive gesture.· As the previous chapter showed, many aspects of growing up in today's world encourage such a dismissive attitude to religion.· Linda could not blame Chrissy for her dismissive attitude.· The general weakness in recruitment planning is not helped by such a dismissive attitude to training for administrative functions by clubs.
· A dismissive gesture but to Ruth one he didn't relish doing very much.
Some historians have been dismissive of this argument.dismissive gesture/wave/shrug etc Cath spread both hands in a dismissive gesture.—dismissively adverb