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

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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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in to sack
to let go from office, service, or employment 15 people were discharged when the embezzling ring was discovered

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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
Massie and Khanna pledged to launch what is known as a discharge petition, which would bypass House leadership to force a vote. —Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 These can be used on your really, really light days, as a backup on heavy days and in between periods for discharge or spotting. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 17 July 2025
Verb
Going back to 2005, an average year saw California bosses discharge 16% of their staff. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 15 July 2025 Mansoor received medical treatment for a concussion, migraine, and ankle pain, and underwent a CT scan and X-rays before being discharged from the hospital. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 14 July 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
  • The firings come as Bondi and the agency have come under fire for not releasing any further information on the department’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
    — Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • But that number was an optical illusion following Robert Saleh’s firing after Week 5.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Definition of firing
Noun
  • The beaver pond upstream of Lake Angeline drained early Thursday, July 17, causing reddish sediment to empty into the water, according to a news release from the DNR.
    — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
  • The documents related to the King assassination are the latest trove of materials made public through a January executive order by the president that also called for the release of materials related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Definition of release
Noun
  • But the Trump administration said Maddox instead should’ve taken his cue from the Supreme Court’s May decision allowing the president to fire Democratic members of two federal labor boards while the former members challenge their dismissals.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 24 July 2025
  • Right now, all Broward students are prohibited from using their cellphones from the morning bell until dismissal, under a policy the School Board passed last year in hopes of improving mental health and academics among students.
    — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
Definition of dismissal
Noun
  • Defensive energy, effort, and most importantly, execution.
    — John W. Davis, Oc Register, 14 July 2025
  • From hospitality to food execution, every Lindsey Food Group location operates at a high standard.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of execution
Verb
  • On June 28th, 2023, Russia used some of its most advanced and expensive missiles to try to damage Patriot batteries protecting Kiev, but the Patriot system shot down the 34 Iskander and Kinzhal ballistic missiles fired.
    — Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Still, a few days later, she got fired, Dwyer said in her memo.
    — Dave Boucher, Freep.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of fire
Verb
  • Stratton unloaded an array of moves on Stratus, including a suplex that ended with Stratus hitting Stratton’s knees.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • Gonzalo Fuentes | Reuters Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unloaded roughly $36.4 million worth of stock in the leading artificial intelligence chipmaker, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Definition of unload
Verb
  • The work is being paid for by a nonprofit that also funded work at the Washington Monument.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 20 July 2025
  • But the borrower must still pay the mortgage every month.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 20 July 2025
Definition of pay
Verb
  • The raptor stayed on top of her, even as the woman’s partner tried to free her.
    — Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
  • And, of course, using social media less could also free up more time for parents to spend playing with their kids.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 13 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.

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