Dismiss vs. Suspend: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 23, 2024
Dismiss means to remove someone from a position or job permanently, while suspend means to temporarily halt someone's duties or privileges.
Key Differences
Dismiss refers to the permanent termination of someone's employment or position. When an employee is dismissed, they are let go and will not return to their job. This action is often due to misconduct, poor performance, or redundancy. Suspend, on the other hand, involves temporarily stopping someone's duties or privileges. Suspension can occur as a disciplinary measure or due to an ongoing investigation. Unlike dismissal, suspension is not permanent, and the individual may resume their role after the suspension period ends.
Dismiss usually implies a definitive end to a professional relationship. When someone is dismissed, they are permanently removed from their position without the expectation of return. This is often used as a final measure after warnings or failed performance improvements. Suspend involves a temporary break, with the possibility of resuming duties. Suspension is commonly used while awaiting further information, during investigations, or as a penalty that allows for eventual reinstatement. The suspended individual may return to their previous role after fulfilling certain conditions.
Dismissal is often seen as a more severe action compared to suspension. The consequences of dismissal are long-term and typically career-impacting. In contrast, suspension is less severe, as it allows for a return to normalcy once the suspension is lifted.
Dismissal generally ends any relationship between the employer and employee, cutting all professional ties. Suspension, however, maintains a connection, albeit temporarily paused, with the potential for the individual to reintegrate into their position.
Comparison Chart
Duration
Permanent
Temporary
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Employment Status
Terminated
Paused
Severity
High
Moderate
Return Possibility
No
Yes
Common Reasons
Misconduct, poor performance
Investigation, disciplinary action
Dismiss and Suspend Definitions
Dismiss
To remove someone from a job permanently.
The company decided to dismiss the employee due to repeated tardiness.
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Suspend
To halt an activity or process for a time.
The project was suspended due to budget cuts.
Dismiss
To end a meeting or session.
The chairman dismissed the meeting after the final vote.
Suspend
To hold off on enforcing a decision.
The judge suspended the sentence for two years.
Dismiss
To send away or allow to leave.
The teacher dismissed the class early.
Suspend
To temporarily stop someone from a job or school.
The student was suspended for breaking the rules.
Dismiss
To stop considering someone or something.
She dismissed the rumor as nonsense.
Suspend
To hang something from above so it moves freely.
The chandelier was suspended from the ceiling.
Dismiss
To end the employment or service of; discharge.
Suspend
To delay or defer action.
The company suspended the launch of the new product.
Dismiss
To direct or allow to leave
Dismissed troops after the inspection.
Dismissed the student after reprimanding him.
Suspend
To bar for a period from a privilege, office, or position, usually as a punishment
Suspend a student from school.
Dismiss
To stop considering; rid one's mind of; dispel
Dismissed all thoughts of running for office.
Suspend
To cause to stop for a period; interrupt
Suspended the trial.
Dismiss
To refuse to accept or recognize; reject
Dismissed the claim as highly improbable.
Suspend
To halt something temporarily.
The meeting was suspended for lunch.
Dismiss
(Law) To adjudicate (a cause of action) as insufficient to proceed further in court because of some deficiency in law or fact.
Suspend
To hold in an undetermined or undecided state.
Dismiss
To eject (a player or coach) for the remainder of a game.
Suspend
To discontinue or interrupt a function, task, position, or event.
To suspend a thread of execution in a computer program
Dismiss
To put out (a batter) in cricket.
Suspend
To hang freely; underhang.
To suspend a ball by a thread
Dismiss
(transitive) To discharge; to end the employment or service of.
The company dismissed me after less than a year.
Suspend
To bring a solid substance, usually in powder form, into suspension in a liquid.
Dismiss
(transitive) To order to leave.
The soldiers were dismissed after the parade.
Suspend
(obsolete) To make to depend.
Dismiss
(transitive) To dispel; to rid one’s mind of.
He dismissed all thoughts of acting again.
Suspend
To debar, or cause to withdraw temporarily, from any privilege, from the execution of an office, from the enjoyment of income, etc.
To suspend a student from college; to suspend a member of a club
Dismiss
(transitive) To reject; to refuse to accept.
The court dismissed the case.
Suspend
(chemistry) To support in a liquid, as an insoluble powder, by stirring, to facilitate chemical action.
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.
Suspend
To remove the value of an unused coupon from an air ticket, typically so as to allow continuation of the next sectors' travel.
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.
Suspend
To attach to something above; to hang; as, to suspend a ball by a thread; to suspend a needle by a loadstone.
Dismiss
To get a batsman out.
He was dismissed for 99 runs.
Suspend
To make to depend; as, God hath suspended the promise of eternal life on the condition of obedience and holiness of life.
Dismiss
To give someone a red card; to send off.
Suspend
To cause to cease for a time; to hinder from proceeding; to interrupt; to delay; to stay.
Suspend your indignation against my brother.
The guard nor fights nor fies; their fate so nearAt once suspends their courage and their fear.
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.
Suspend
To hold in an undetermined or undecided state; as, to suspend one's judgment or opinion.
Dismiss
To discard; to remove or discharge from office, service, or employment; as, the king dismisses his ministers; the matter dismisses his servant.
Suspend
To debar, or cause to withdraw temporarily, from any privilege, from the execution of an office, from the enjoyment of income, etc.; as, to suspend a student from college; to suspend a member of a club.
Good men should not be suspended from the exercise of their ministry and deprived of their livelihood for ceremonies which are on all hands acknowledged indifferent.
Dismiss
To lay aside or reject as unworthy of attentions or regard, as a petition or motion in court.
Suspend
To cause to cease for a time from operation or effect; as, to suspend the habeas corpus act; to suspend the rules of a legislative body.
Dismiss
Dismission.
Suspend
To support in a liquid, as an insoluble powder, by stirring, to facilitate chemical action.
Dismiss
Bar from attention or consideration;
She dismissed his advances
Suspend
To cease from operation or activity; esp., to stop payment, or be unable to meet obligations or engagements (said of a commercial firm or a bank).
Dismiss
Cease to consider; put out of judicial consideration;
This case is dismissed!
Suspend
Hang freely;
The secret police suspended their victims from the ceiling and beat them
Dismiss
Stop associating with;
They dropped her after she had a child out of wedlock
Suspend
Cause to be held in suspension in a fluid;
Suspend the particles
Dismiss
Terminate the employment of;
The boss fired his secretary today
The company terminated 25% of its workers
Suspend
Bar temporarily; from school, office, etc.
Dismiss
End one's encounter with somebody by causing or permitting the person to leave;
I was dismissed after I gave my report
Suspend
Stop a process or a habit by imposing a freeze on it;
Suspend the aid to the war-torn country
Dismiss
Declare void;
The President dissolved the parliament and called for new elections
Suspend
Make inoperative or stop;
Suspend payments on the loan
Dismiss
To disregard or reject.
The judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence.
Suspend
As of a prison sentence
FAQs
Is suspension temporary?
Yes, suspension is a temporary halt, with the possibility of resumption.
Can a dismissed employee return to their job?
No, a dismissed employee cannot return to their job.
What are common reasons for suspension?
Common reasons include disciplinary actions or ongoing investigations.
Does suspension maintain a connection with the employer?
Yes, suspension temporarily pauses but maintains the connection.
Is there a possibility of returning after dismissal?
No, dismissal typically does not allow for return.
What does it mean to dismiss someone?
Dismissing someone means permanently removing them from their position or job.
Does suspension imply misconduct?
Not always; suspension can also occur during investigations.
What does it mean to suspend someone?
Suspending someone means temporarily halting their duties or privileges.
Is dismissal permanent?
Yes, dismissal is a permanent termination of employment or position.
Can a suspended employee return to their job?
Yes, a suspended employee can return to their job after the suspension period.
Which is more severe, dismissal or suspension?
Dismissal is more severe as it is permanent.
What is the impact of dismissal on a career?
Dismissal can have a long-term negative impact on a career.
Are dismissals and suspensions documented differently?
Yes, dismissals are documented as terminations, while suspensions are noted as temporary halts.
What are common reasons for dismissal?
Common reasons include misconduct, poor performance, or redundancy.
Does dismissal end the employment relationship?
Yes, dismissal ends the employment relationship permanently.
What is the impact of suspension on a career?
Suspension is less severe and usually temporary.
Can dismissal be appealed?
Yes, in some cases, dismissal can be appealed or legally challenged.
Is there a possibility of returning after suspension?
Yes, suspension allows for the possibility of return.
Can suspension be a form of punishment?
Yes, suspension can be used as a disciplinary measure.
Can suspension be appealed?
Yes, suspensions can often be appealed or reviewed.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
