discharge

1 a directed propelling of a missile by a firearm or artillery piece the thunderous discharge of the cannons Synonyms of discharge blasting, shot, firingWords Related to discharge potshot; barrage, blitz, blitzkrieg, bombardment, broadside, burst, cannonade, drumfire, fusillade, hail, salvo, shower, storm, volley

2 a freeing from an obligation or responsibility a full discharge from responsibility for the accident Synonyms of discharge delivery, release, quietus, quittanceWords Related to discharge dispensation, exemption, immunity, waiver

3 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 of discharge ax (or axe), layoff, dismissal, furlough, redundancy [chiefly British]Words Related to discharge pink slip; bird [chiefly British], boot, bum's rush, downsizing, firing, heave-ho, sack; closing, shutdown; shakeout, shake-upNear Antonyms of discharge callback, recall, reemployment, rehire, rehiring

4 the doing of an action aided in the discharge of his duties by a capable assistant Synonyms of discharge accomplishment, achievement, commission, enactment, execution, fulfillment (or fulfilment), implementation, performance, perpetration, prosecution, pursuanceWords Related to discharge dispatch, expedition; administration, direction, handling, management; application, operation, practice (also practise)Antonyms of discharge nonfulfillment, nonperformance

1 to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force Robert Goddard was the first to discharge a rocket containing an instrument package Synonyms of discharge blast, shoot, fire, loose, squeeze offWords Related to discharge launch, project; blaze (at), snipe (at); cast, catapult, fling, heave, hurl, hurtle, lob, pelt, pitch, sling, throw, toss

2 to empty or rid of cargo docks for discharging containerships Synonyms of discharge disburden, unload, disencumber, off-load, unburden, unlade, unpackWords Related to discharge free, lighten, relieve; clear, empty, evacuate, vacate, voidNear Antonyms of discharge charge, cram, fill, heap, jam, jam-pack, stuffAntonyms of discharge load, pack

3 to give what is owed for discharge a debt in full Synonyms of discharge ante up, balance, clear, pay, foot, liquidate, meet, pay off, pay up, pony up, quit, recompense, settle, spring (for), standAntonyms of discharge repudiate

4 to set free (as from slavery or confinement) discharged the prisoners upon the signing of the peace treaty Synonyms of discharge free, disenthrall (also disenthral), emancipate, enfranchise, enlarge, liberate, loose, loosen, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetterWords Related to discharge bail (out), deliver, parole, ransom, redeem, rescue, save; adrift, disembarrass, disencumber, disengage, disentangle, extricate; unshackleNear Antonyms of discharge handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel; commit, immure, imprison, incarcerate, intern, jail, lock (up); conquer, enslave, subdue, subjugateAntonyms of discharge bind, confine, enchain, fetter, restrain

5 to throw or give off the mighty river discharges its waters into the ocean Synonyms of discharge cast, emit, emanate, evolve, exhale, expel, expire [archaic], give out, irradiate, issue, radiate, release, send (out), shoot, throw out, ventWords Related to discharge eliminate, evacuate, excrete, exude, ooze, secrete; eject, erupt, gush, jet, outpour, pour, spew, spout, spray, spurt, squirtNear Antonyms of discharge absorb, inhale, soak (up), sponge, suck (up), take up

6 to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force felt a strong recoil as the rifle discharged Synonyms of discharge blast, shoot, fireWords Related to discharge blaze, pepper; plink, potshot, snipe

7 to let go from office, service, or employment 15 people were discharged when the embezzling ring was discovered Synonyms of discharge ax (or axe), bounce, can, cashier, dismiss, fire, muster out, pink-slip, release, remove, retire, sack, terminate, turn offWords Related to discharge downsize, excess, furlough, lay off, trim; boot (out), chuck (out), drum (out), kick out, throw out, unseat; separateNear Antonyms of discharge keep; reemploy, rehire; contract, subcontract; recruitAntonyms of discharge employ, engage, hire, retain, sign (up or on), take on