What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
depose
Example
The board voted to depose the CEO due to financial misconduct. [depose: verb]
Example
The witness was deposed in court and asked to provide evidence. [deposed: past participle]
Example
The revolutionaries sought to depose the king and establish a new government. [depose: verb]
dismiss
Example
The company decided to dismiss several employees due to budget cuts. [dismiss: verb]
Example
The committee dismissed the proposal as unrealistic and unfeasible. [dismissed: past tense]
Example
The teacher dismissed the class early due to a power outage. [dismissed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dismiss is more commonly used than depose in everyday language. Dismiss is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while depose is less common and typically used in more formal or legal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between depose and dismiss?
Depose is generally considered more formal than dismiss. It is often used in legal or political contexts and carries a more serious connotation. On the other hand, dismiss is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it less formal than depose.