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
Phone surveys, electronic health records and the Social Security Death Index were used to determine whether cardiac events or deaths from any cause had occurred up to one year after hospital discharge. —American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 1 June 2025 State officials are accepting comments on the environmental impacts of a project proposed by 3M Corp. to collect surface water upstream of a dump in Oakdale in order to reduce polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in stormwater discharge from the site. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 1 June 2025
Verb
Only about half of infants born at 24 weeks of gestation will even survive long enough to be discharged from the hospital. —Katrina Kimport, The Conversation, 23 May 2025 Baldwin, the lead actor and co-producer for Rust, was pointing a gun at the cinematographer during a film rehearsal when the gun was discharged, killing her and injuring director Joel Souza. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 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
  • Since the firings, the agency has published two brief reports based on the 2023 survey – one on use of marijuana by people 12 years and older and one about the treatments received by adults with serious mental illness.
    — Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 29 May 2025
  • While many of these agreements have been deeply flawed and exploitive, the firing of Shira Perlmutter represents a pivot to something much worse.
    — Sarah Montana, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025
Definition of firing
Noun
  • That includes those run by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, in addition to the cities of Miami Beach, Miami, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Aventura and the village of Pinecrest, according to a news release.
    — Vivienne Serret, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
  • Once finished, the venue will be Broadway's largest floor footprint, per the release.
    — Daniela Avila, People.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of release
Noun
  • Despite the low scoring, United fans would ideally like to give Amorim time to reshape the squad to his liking, rather than call for his immediate dismissal.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 7 June 2025
  • His dismissal — and that of several other judges whom President Trump brought in in his first term in office — sparked immediate GOP outrage and claims of political interference.
    — Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 6 June 2025
Definition of dismissal
Noun
  • Somewhere between good intentions and poor execution, things unraveled.
    — Ashar Samdani, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • The latter facilitate the execution of a design vision or ensure repetitive tasks where resources are rare.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 26 May 2025
Definition of execution
Verb
  • Forensic evidence found at the scene indicated both brothers fired a weapon.
    — Melissa Noel, Essence, 28 May 2025
  • Data displayed on SpaceX's live broadcast of the launch showed all 33 of the rocket's engines fired normally during its initial ascent from Texas, a reassuring sign for the reliability of the Super Heavy booster.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2025
Definition of fire
Verb
  • Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Aid groups are unloading food and other critical supplies in the Gaza Strip, after a monthslong blockade that has put children at risk of famine.
    — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 23 May 2025
  • Once Devon can unload caretaking duties for Bruce (their father), Simone says life is going to get really good for her.
    — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 22 May 2025
Definition of unload
Verb
  • That work has given him enough money to pay for car insurance and other expenses, but not enough to move out from his parents’ home.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
  • Federal Pell Grants go to low-income students and do not need to be paid back; the administration wants to cut the maximum amount of the annual grant from roughly $7,400 to $5,700.
    — Cory Turner, NPR, 2 June 2025
Definition of pay
Verb
  • Then, in March, an appeals court acquitted Lee, freeing him to campaign in the snap election.
    — Jong Eun Lee, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
  • He was freed on parole from the Terre Haute, Indiana, federal penitentiary on Nov. 30, 1948, after serving 32 months of his five-year prison sentence.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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