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
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Recent Examples of discharging
The suspect vehicle stopped, and two males exited and began discharging handguns at the victim’s vehicle.
—
Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
That’s when the suspect allegedly fired a handgun, discharging multiple rounds toward the officer, according to Madden.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee
updated March 15, Kansas City Star, 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
The two men also were convicted of using, carrying and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Russell, 29, was charged with depriving Bils of his rights under color of law and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
On a busy street in downtown Miami, as horns blare, cars weave past buses discharging passengers and delivery robots bump along the sidewalk, Las Palmas restaurant feeds Miami at an open-air counter.
—Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
That’s when the suspect allegedly fired a handgun, discharging multiple rounds toward the officer, according to Madden.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee
updated March 15, Kansas City Star, 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
The two men also were convicted of using, carrying and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Russell, 29, was charged with depriving Bils of his rights under color of law and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
On a busy street in downtown Miami, as horns blare, cars weave past buses discharging passengers and delivery robots bump along the sidewalk, Las Palmas restaurant feeds Miami at an open-air counter.
—Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discharging
Verb
-
Forhan, who was the initial victim of the robbery, has been charged with firing a missile into a building and culpable negligence for inflicting harm.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Ronald White of Milton, dressed in colonial attire, stood among a line of reenactors firing replica muskets in the church’s graveyard following the service and said the anniversary carries personal meaning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As viewers may remember, the couple was often shown bickering during their journey, with Jonathan, a software developer, seemingly unloading his frustrations on Ana, a stay-at-home mom.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In one video posted on Instagram, several people are seen on the side of the bridge unloading what appears to be several boxes of fireworks.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The purpose of an early debate is to help Californians evaluate a still-developing field, not to let academics and media sponsors freeze the race before most people start paying attention.—
Matt Klink,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
-
That growth has been evident in the high-paying tech sector.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
During the Biden presidency, the federal government paid farmers billions of dollars to stop growing crops like alfalfa, freeing up water for other uses.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The front and rear walls expand into form freeing the two side walls to swing down and secure the whole cube in place.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a bohemian vibe radiating from Serena & Lily’s Kittery rug, but the rigid grid motif lends the design some structure, a detail that can appeal to more formal design personalities.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Grayson is a strong and beautiful presence, radiating warmth, humor, and style, and sporting a wide range of talents.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson continued to impress with eight points in the second quarter to enter halftime with a team-high 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field and 3-of-7 shooting on threes to go with five rebounds, one steal and one block in 10 minutes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Not with Alex Karaban and Solo Ball, who’ve both had seasons shooting over 40% from beyond the arc, coming back.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Sheriff’s Office committed to removing tie-off points from its jails but has not yet completed those renovations.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
In the new year, Musk welcomed Hegseth to a meeting at SpaceX headquarters, where Hegseth unveiled a new partnership with Grok, which lately had been spending most of its time removing the clothes of women and children in photographs.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her performance in ‘Lord of the Flies’ was a standout, balancing intensity with precision, while bringing fear to the audience.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Eat your eggs, but forget balancing them.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discharging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discharging. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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