discharge 1 of 2

1
as in firing
a directed propelling of a missile by a firearm or artillery piece the thunderous discharge of the cannons

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in release
a freeing from an obligation or responsibility a full discharge from responsibility for the accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in dismissal
the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily she was resentful over what she felt was a wrongful discharge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

discharge

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to fire
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force Robert Goddard was the first to discharge a rocket containing an instrument package

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in to pay
to give what is owed for discharge a debt in full

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5
6
as in to shoot
to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force felt a strong recoil as the rifle discharged

Synonyms & Similar Words

7

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb discharge contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of discharge are accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, fulfill, and perform. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

In what contexts can accomplish take the place of discharge?

The words accomplish and discharge can be used in similar contexts, but accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

How do achieve and accomplish relate to one another, in the sense of discharge?

Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

How are the words effect and achieve related as synonyms of discharge?

Effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

When might execute be a better fit than discharge?

While in some cases nearly identical to discharge, execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

When would fulfill be a good substitute for discharge?

The words fulfill and discharge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

When could perform be used to replace discharge?

While the synonyms perform and discharge are close in meaning, perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discharge
Noun
The urethral swab diagnostic test identifies germs in the urethra that may be causing inflammation and discharge. Jennifer Welsh Published, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024 Campbell was aware Grayson had pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol on two occasions, one of which led to his premature discharge from the Army in February 2016, according to various personnel records. Maggie Vespa, NBC News, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
For starters, we should be disabused of the canard that an incumbent president would be handcuffed in discharging constitutional duties if subject to prosecution. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 4 Dec. 2024 After he was discharged from the Army in 1955, Mr. Caponigro worked in the darkroom of an advertising agency and later spent time as a student of Mr. White’s at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for discharge 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discharge
Noun
  • In today’s always-on, highly connected world in which platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor have weight with prospective employees and even clients, leaders must be mindful not to damage their reputation with what could be perceived as unfair or shady firing practices.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Damon Wayans, frustrated by his experience on the show, effectively forced his own firing after going off script during a sketch.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The Fall City Police Department’s Community Action & Suppression Team was executing a search warrant when 33-year-old Robert Langlais and another suspect fled on the roof, police said in a news release.
    Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
  • The safety features include modifications to the site's LLM and improvements to detection and intervention systems, the site said in a news release Thursday.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • United are six games into the tenure of Ruben Amorim after the early season dismissal of Erik ten Hag, while Pep Guardiola’s City are going through a period of one win in 10 matches, an unprecedented run in the club’s recent history.
    Sam Lee, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
  • However, those cases are moving toward dismissal or are winding down ahead of Inauguration Day next month.
    Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The court denied this plea to stop the execution on Dec. 5.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Over the past 15 years, the state has not carried out any executions, though federal officials conducted 13 executions in 2020 and 2021 at the federal prison in Terre Haute.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • To retaliate, Iran launched a direct attack on Israel on October 1, firing 181 ballistic missiles.
    Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The Jets general manager job became open last month after owner Woody Johnson fired Joe Douglas on Nov. 19 after going 31-66 during his five-plus seasons with the team.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Lewis wasn't going to take that lying down, and in typical messy fashion, unloaded his hot takes on Whitfield.
    Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024
  • The boys’ mom had just parked at a shopping center and was outside of the car, unloading items to bring inside, at the time of the shooting, Huerta told Los Angeles ABC station KABC.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Their visit to Capitol Hill also came with a warning to lawmakers – join Trump in making cuts or pay the price.
    Melissa Cruz, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
  • In the announcement, the company said that paid subscribers to ChatGPT in the United States and several other countries will be able to use Sora to generate videos of their own.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • While the technology is impressive, the real value lies in how these platforms free up HR professionals to focus on what matters most – the human aspect of their role.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Questioned by the rebel fighter who freed him, the man identified himself as Adel Ghurbal from the central Syrian city of Homs.
    Tim Lister, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near discharge

Cite this Entry

“Discharge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discharge. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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