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

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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
The rejuvenated material showed an initial discharge capacity of 196 milliamp hours per gram and retained 76 percent of that capacity after 200 charge–discharge cycles, surpassing most current recycling results. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025 On Tuesday, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office charged both suspects with shooting at an occupied dwelling and negligent discharge of a firearm, police said. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Proof of service, like a military or VA card or discharge papers, is required to receive a voucher. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2025 Seven other victims are in stable condition, two were admitted and discharged, and two were treated on scene. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 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
  • He had been committed to the Nittany Lions since April 22 but made the move following Penn State’s firing of coach James Franklin earlier this season.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Prior to her firing, Suda’s compensation and expenses had been the subjects of an investigation initiated by the museum board.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 11 Nov. 2025
Definition of firing
Noun
  • The findings suggest that the ice is 20 and 23 km deep at the north-pole with an average of 25 to 28 km globally – slightly deeper than previous estimates obtained using other remote sensing and modeling techniques, as per the release.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Freakier Friday actors Haley Hudson, Manny Jacinto and Sophia Hammons are a terrific trio at Break Room 86 in Los Angeles, while celebrating the upcoming release of the film on Disney+.
    — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Definition of release
Noun
  • Parents said they were told the dismissal was not the result of criminal wrongdoing or abuse allegations.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025
  • That immediate dismissal stirred up a new determination within the aspiring firefighter.
    — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of dismissal
Noun
  • To take it from idea to information to knowledge to execution.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The firm praised management’s execution and says the stock is highly underappreciated by investors.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Definition of execution
Verb
  • Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles into Israel in response and attacked the Middle East's largest American military base in Qatar.
    — MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The news comes a week after the school fired football head coach Brian Kelly and then former athletic director Scott Woodward a few days later.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of fire
Verb
  • The mass of public officials and volunteers unloaded and passed about 1,200 turkeys into the food bank Thursday morning in a lively assembly line.
    — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Carol Burnett has unloaded a massive haul of her most coveted awards, handing them off to her alma mater in conjunction with an endowment to support aspiring musical theater performers.
    — Karu F Daniels, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of unload
Verb
  • In Cincinnati, at least 10 doctors have received over $1 million in industry payments, according to an Enquirer investigation, with Archdeacon and Sagi being fifth and seventh highest paid on the list, respectively.
    — Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025
  • The first tranche of stock gets paid out if Tesla hits a market capitalization of $2 trillion, about $500 billion more than the current valuation.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2025
Definition of pay
Verb
  • If confirmed by future research, the approach could provide a powerful new weapon to fight heart disease, the nation's leading killer, freeing people from the need to take statins and other cholesterol-lowering drugs every day.
    — NPR, NPR, 8 Nov. 2025
  • No-kill is about giving every pet in a shelter a fair chance and proving that with the right policies and practices in place, managing animal shelters doesn’t require killing dogs and cats simply to free up space.
    — Scott Giacoppo, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2025.

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