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
President-elect Trump was spared any punishment for his hush money criminal conviction Friday when a New York judge sentenced him to an unconditional discharge, eschewing jail time while securing his status as the first person convicted of a felony to assume the presidency. Ella Lee, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025 The tune will mark J-Hope’s first new track since his discharge from the army last October. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
Details about Jabbar and his past emerge FBI/AP Jabbar, who was a U.S. citizen, was honorably discharged from the Army, according to the FBI. Emma Bowman, NPR, 2 Jan. 2025 He was discharged in 2015 and worked in real estate in recent years. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for discharge 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discharge
Noun
  • Ivanov's arrest and firing came at a similar time to the detention and dismissal of other senior military officials, including the former deputy chief of the Russian general staff, Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Davis consulted Brady prior to making those firings.
    Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Their mission statement was to create a healthier, sustainable way to make games, resulting in 12 releases in just four years.
    Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Netflix also confirmed the release date on its streaming platform.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Vrabel had been the favorite to land the job once New England announced Mayo’s dismissal.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
  • However, DirecTV and Dish on Thursday both challenged the dismissal of Fubo’s lawsuit in a letter to the judge in the case, saying the settlement doesn’t resolve antitrust issues around Venu that were raised by Fubo in the first place.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Thirteen federal inmates were executed during Trump's first term, the most under any president in decades, but Biden halted executions after taking office in 2021.
    Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The story mirrors the original, following a fresh batch of desperate have-nots competing in elementary school games with a sizable fortune for the winners and pitiless execution for the losers.
    Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Both coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas were both fired during the season and Jeff Ulbrich finished 3-9 after becoming interim coach on Oct. 8.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Yes, but: If terminated, Norris receives pay and benefits for six months unless he's fired for specific reasons outlined in the contract, including willful dishonesty or fraud.
    Jason Clayworth, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That might not sound uncommon, but Bucs fans have seen a quarterback who would rather unload a ball in a hurry than risk being tackled by a blitzing linebacker.
    John Romano, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
  • McAfee unloaded on Colts players, coaches and culture.
    Mike Sando, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Red Flag Warning Will Remain Until Friday Evening As Blazes Burn More Than 2,000 Structures Google’s Gmail Upgrade—Do Not Lose Your Account On Fridays last spring, travellers didn't pay that peak travel charge.
    Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Credit reporting, a threat that has been wielded by medical providers and debt collectors to get patients to pay their bills, is the most common collection tactic used by hospitals, a KFF Health News analysis found.
    Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • No hostages have been freed yet, and the cease-fire doesn’t start until Sunday, so all reports so far remain speculative and optimistic.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
  • In the initial wave, hundreds of Palestinian women and children currently held in Israeli prisons will be freed.
    Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near discharge

Cite this Entry

“Discharge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discharge. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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