discharge 1 of 2

noun

ˈdis-ˌchärj How to pronounce discharge (audio)
Definition of dischargenext
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
as in execution
the doing of an action aided in the discharge of his duties by a capable assistant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

discharge

2 of 2

verb

dis-ˈchärj How to pronounce discharge (audio)
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
as in to unload
to empty or rid of cargo docks for discharging containerships

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to pay
to give what is owed for discharge a debt in full

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to release
to set free (as from slavery or confinement) discharged the prisoners upon the signing of the peace treaty

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to cast
to throw or give off the mighty river discharges its waters into the ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to sack
to let go from office, service, or employment 15 people were discharged when the embezzling ring was discovered

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Steve Reed, the U.K.'s environment secretary, pledged to stop all sewage discharges into Lake Windermere, England's largest lake that has come to symbolize the polluted state of Britain's waterways. —arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025 He was convicted and sentenced to 14 months of conditional discharge and ordered to work 10 days in the Cook County Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
The lawsuit against Bowlero said Alloway was discharged as part of a companywide practice of firing employees 40 and older. —Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2025 One officer accidentally discharged a gun, the NYPD said, while students documented injuries among nine of the dozens of protesters arrested inside the building. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discharge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discharge
  1. firing
  2. release
  3. dismissal
  4. execution
  5. fire
  6. unload
  7. pay
  8. free
Noun
  • About 60 people gathered outside the Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Friday to protest the mass firing of probationary workers and a move from the Trump administration to no longer recognize the union that represents VA employees.
    — Angela Palermo and, Idaho Statesman, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Mass firings of federal workers have generated lawsuits Thousands of federal workers have been let go as the Trump administration seeks to dramatically downsize the federal government.
    — Time, Time, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of firing
Noun
  • The first phase involved the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, while the two sides suspended the fighting and Israel withdrew from heavily populated areas and from the Netzarim corridor.
    — TIME, TIME, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The baby was quickly transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, where he was pronounced dead, according to the release.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of release
Noun
  • Anti-SLAPP laws are statutes that provide a substantive right of a person to an early dismissal of causes of action brought against them with the effect of silencing or punishing their First Amendment (and corresponding state constitutional) rights to freedom of speech and to petition.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Strickland also revealed that other WWE personnel had informed him this member had generated significant backstage heat, likely contributing to their collective dismissal.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of dismissal
Noun
  • What is certain, however, is the effect executions have on the inmate’s family.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
  • His execution of signature moves like the Spear and Jackhammer often lacked the necessary finesse to protect his opponents from harm.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of execution
Verb
  • Smith stressed that no shots were fired during the incident.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2025
  • On the last day of the season, when the apprentices had been winnowed from 16 to two, then-emcee Donald Trump fired Annie on national television in favor of the comedienne Joan Rivers.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of fire
Verb
  • Owners unable to unload their EVs or still torn over Tesla have been caught in the middle.
    — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Once triggered, the black mamba unloads a relentless flurry of high-speed bites.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of unload
Verb
  • At its heart, the trial was about whether college athletes and former college athletes should be paid more than nothing for use of their NIL in video games and other products.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Students have very real fears about paying for college Just to be clear, the Education Department still exists, and cannot be closed without an act of Congress.
    — Anna North, Vox, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of pay
Verb
  • With drones, sniffer dogs and heavy machinery, rescue operators have been working around the clock to free dozens of people thought to be trapped inside.
    — Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The husband eventually managed to free himself of his bindings, and when McIsaac returned to the living room, the husband fought back and subdued him long enough to allow the rest of the family to escape and seek help, prosecutors said.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of free

Browse Nearby Words

discerns
discharge
discharged
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Cite this Entry

“Discharge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discharge. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

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