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

Example 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
Aluminum’s Advantages The researcher’s tests demonstrated that the resulting battery design can have an extremely long life, with the battery retaining 99 percent of its original capacity after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles. IEEE Spectrum, 5 Feb. 2025 For example, a year after discharge, vets who had been in data processing were earning nearly twice as much as those in the infantry. Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
Andrews was discharged on Feb. 1 and is staying in the Boston area for follow-up before returning home. Alice Park, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025 Montiel has a prior conviction for negligently discharging a gun, and was wanted for allegedly violating his probation, court records show. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for discharge 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discharge
Noun
  • But people who work in civil rights warn the firings are part of a broad attempt to dismantle the infrastructure for addressing systemic inequalities in America.
    Andrea Hsu, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Here in Denver, 10 environmental justice workers at EPA were just put on administrative leave, with the strong implication that more firings are to come.
    Megan Schrader, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • What To Know Four cats in Oregon have been infected by avian influenza in the past two months, including two others in Washington County, according to a release by the WSDA.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
  • This generous gift has been placed in a restricted fund dedicated to purchasing food for the ministry, ensuring that every dollar goes directly toward feeding those in need, according to a news release.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The Houston Chronicle reported that NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston has informed employees still in their probationary period to prepare for dismissal.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Danielle Sassoon, Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, resigned in refusal to carry out the Justice Department’s directive to file the dismissal.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • That’s crazy to me: divine love shown to us through a disgusting and emaciated corpse hanging on a tool of execution.
    Mike Lowenberg, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • What to Know Frazier's execution began at 6:10 p.m.
    Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Dolphins were 7-6 in 2018 before losing their final three games, two in blowout fashion, and in the turmoil Gase and his staff were fired.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Baez is accused of firing multiple shots at Grant, striking him in the torso, on Nov. 27 around 2:42 p.m., near E. 161st St. and Morris Ave.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Yet last week half a million metric tons of food aid sat waiting in U.S. ports with no workers able to unload or deliver it, complicating Secretary of State Marco Rubio's ability to unfreeze a few projects, like feeding the starving in Sudan, and giving medication to AIDS patients.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Phoenix acquired first-round picks in the Utah deal to attach to a potential deal to unload a player.
    Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • She was paid the same as other hosts at the time – $3,000 – and put up in the Marriott Essex House overlooking Central Park, according to articles published at the time.
    Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Adding the dominant 7-footer was considered a financial risk to some, but Saperstein paid a substantial amount in the $50,000 range for Chamberlain to wear a Globetrotters uniform, according to Hill.
    Zach Powell, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • So far, 16 out of a total of 33 hostages expected to be released in the first — and current — phase of the deal have been freed.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Sion James ghosted a screen, freeing up space for Flagg to straight-line drive.
    Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near discharge

Cite this Entry

“Discharge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discharge. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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