1
as in firing
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
Relevance
2
as in unloading
to empty or rid of cargo
docks for discharging containerships
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in paying
to give what is owed for
discharge a debt in full
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in freeing
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 radiating
to throw or give off
the mighty river discharges its waters into the ocean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
7
as in removing
to let go from office, service, or employment
15 people were discharged when the embezzling ring was discovered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 discharging
The conductive patterns act as electrodes, enabling ions to gather and release quickly during charging and discharging.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
David Carrasquillo, 24, of Roxbury, is charged with three counts of assault and battery attempt with a firearm and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
In July 2024, Jackson County Administrative Judge Jennifer Philips ordered one of the defendants, a 15-year-old, to serve a term at a state facility for the charge of knowingly discharging a firearm.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
The bill, which passed the Senate on March 17, has the support of hospital systems that complain of long, costly delays in discharging patients who can no longer make medical decisions for themselves and haven't designated someone to act on their behalf.
—Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 2026
The suspect vehicle stopped, and two males exited and began discharging handguns at the victim’s vehicle.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
The criminal complaint against Gebran shows that additional counts of each misdemeanor he was originally accused of have been tacked on — meaning two charges of animal abuse, a state violation, and two of discharging a weapon, a Garden City violation.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
Higgins was booked for discharging a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, assault with a firearm, manufacturing or assembling an unregistered firearm, and manufacturing or causing to be manufactured an assault weapon.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Video released by the department shows the gunman shooting at victims, as well as the three officers who responded to the incident discharging their firearms at the gunman.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
David Carrasquillo, 24, of Roxbury, is charged with three counts of assault and battery attempt with a firearm and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
In July 2024, Jackson County Administrative Judge Jennifer Philips ordered one of the defendants, a 15-year-old, to serve a term at a state facility for the charge of knowingly discharging a firearm.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
The bill, which passed the Senate on March 17, has the support of hospital systems that complain of long, costly delays in discharging patients who can no longer make medical decisions for themselves and haven't designated someone to act on their behalf.
—Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 2026
The suspect vehicle stopped, and two males exited and began discharging handguns at the victim’s vehicle.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
The criminal complaint against Gebran shows that additional counts of each misdemeanor he was originally accused of have been tacked on — meaning two charges of animal abuse, a state violation, and two of discharging a weapon, a Garden City violation.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
Higgins was booked for discharging a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, assault with a firearm, manufacturing or assembling an unregistered firearm, and manufacturing or causing to be manufactured an assault weapon.
—Julie Sharp, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Video released by the department shows the gunman shooting at victims, as well as the three officers who responded to the incident discharging their firearms at the gunman.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discharging
Verb
-
The plea came just weeks after her husband, John Reilly III, was found guilty of assault for firing at the driver's car as the man was trying to leave their property in May 2025.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Operators remain inside an armored vehicle to avoid exposure during firing.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cleaning houses, working in a candle shop, babysitting, unloading trucks in a food terminal and finally the kitchen of local health food grocery the Turnip Truck, music was always in the background.—
Holly Gleason,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
An oil tanker unloading crude last week at the port in Qingdao in China's eastern Shandong province.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With threats to expose social security numbers, dates of birth, family information, grades, and even confidential medical information, the breach cornered PowerSchool into paying millions of dollars in ransom.—
Mike Levine,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The company has pushed back on Cherry Creek Schools’ efforts to terminate contracts with Education Accelerated in February, and the firm’s attorney has accused the district of not paying a recent invoice.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Island shelving provides storage for items that would otherwise be on countertops, freeing up more space.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Two officials within the militia, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly, told the Associated Press that in exchange for freeing Kittleson, several members of the group who had previously been detained by Iraqi authorities would be released.—
Todd Richmond,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
For patrician statesmen, grandeur is usually understated, radiating restraint rather than gawk-inspiring shows of brazen wealth.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
On the water, the 55-year-old mother seems to come alive, her adventurous spirit radiating outward, lighting her from the inside out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The man accused of shooting and killing a baby girl in Brooklyn is expected to be arraigned Wednesday.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Blazers led 83-82 going into the fourth despite shooting just 1 of 11 on 3-pointers in the third quarter.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
He is then seen slowly approaching the victim, checking his surroundings, and removing his shoes before grabbing her from behind.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The surgery involved removing 40 percent of Erbert's skull and required a follow-up skull implant surgery, per the Los Angeles Times.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This placement suggests a focus on balancing scale, technology, and accessibility within the rapidly expanding full-size SUV segment.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Opponents argued that the bill went too far, and would leave teachers and health care providers in difficult situations while balancing trying to protect children and abide by the law.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discharging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discharging. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
