Definition

Verb: 1. To forgo, do without, or manage without something considered non-essential or dispensable. 2. To cease to hold, adhere to, or follow; to abolish or relinquish a practice, rule, or formality. 3. To give up or relinquish something that is not strictly needed.

Usage

This verb is used to indicate the deliberate action of eliminating or managing without something, often to simplify a process or because it is unnecessary. It is typically followed by the object being omitted or abandoned.

Examples

• We can dispense with the formal introductions and begin the meeting. (We can forgo the formal introductions.)
• Modern software has dispensed with the need for physical instruction manuals. (Modern software has made physical manuals unnecessary.)
• He decided to dispense with his old car and use public transport instead. (He decided to give up his old car.)

Advanced Usage

• "to dispense with someone's services": To terminate someone's employment or cease using their assistance.
  • The company dispensed with his services after the project ended.

Variants and Related Words

• Dispensation (n): The act of dispensing or the state of being dispensed with; a special exemption from a rule or obligation.
  • They received a dispensation from the usual requirements.

Synonyms

• Forgo
• Waive
• Abolish
• Relinquish
• Omit
• Eliminate

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Do without: To manage in the absence of something.
  • We'll have to do without a printer until the new one arrives. (This is similar in meaning but often implies necessity rather than a deliberate choice to omit.)

Related Idioms

• Cut out the middleman: To avoid an intermediary. This idiom shares the concept of removing an unnecessary step or element.
  • By selling directly online, they dispense with the retailer and cut out the middleman.

Verb

1. forgo or do or go without
2. do without or cease to hold or adhere to
   • We are dispensing with formalities
   • relinquish the old ideas
3. give up what is not strictly needed
   • he asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey