discharge 1 of 2

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

discharge

2 of 2

verb

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
3
as in to pay
to give what is owed for discharge a debt in full

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5
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

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

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
No surface water intake for domestic drinking water supplies is located within five miles downstream of the wastewater discharge point so there would be no impact on water wells or drinking water, Keel said at the time. Arcelia Martin, San Antonio Express-News, 27 Apr. 2026 His conditional discharge is scheduled to end April 20, 2027. Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Both the driver and a Warrenville police officer reportedly discharged their firearms during the incident, the state police said, and the driver sustained a gunshot wound. Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026 The 31-year-old was also charged with illegally transporting a firearm across state lines and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discharge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discharge
Noun
  • The Red Sox have issued eight fewer challenges than any other team, but Alex Cora, who was fired on Saturday, said before his firing that he wasn’t bothered by the low rates.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • According to the space startup, this included a record-breaking 300-second burn—the longest duration hot firing of any RDRE engine yet.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That tension — between the gravity of what the commission documented and the limits of what it was empowered to do — defined Thursday’s release of its final report.
    Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • The aqueous action scenes — cascades of water swirling around aerial charges — should play out nicely on the big screen during the film’s theatrical release.
    Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • The write-off trap There’s a specific kind of institutional damage that happens when hiring managers and leaders respond to the stare with dismissal rather than diagnosis.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel is speaking out as a wide-ranging review of the football program unfolds after Sherrone Moore's dismissal.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Justice Department announced a series of actions on Friday aimed at restoring and expanding the use of the federal death penalty, including new execution methods and efforts to speed up capital cases.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The federal government has not previously included firing squad as a method of execution in its protocols, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • O’Neal, the daughter of four-time NBA champion and Naismith Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, entered the portal April 14 after two seasons at UF; former head coach Kelly Rae Finley was fired by administration in March after five seasons at the helm.
    Caroline Makauskas, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The next night, Russia fired nineteen ballistic missiles, twenty-five cruise missiles, and six hundred and fifty-nine drones.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Policy for transporting firearms Amtrak requires firearms on its trains to be declared, unloaded, secured in a hard case and to meet certain size and weight requirements.
    Claudia Lauer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Jerusalem — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Israel of knowingly allowing grain stolen by Russia to be unloaded at Israeli ports, threatening to impose sanctions on anyone involved in the shipments, which Kyiv says have continued despite multiple appeals to Israeli officials.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Last June, Hill was ordered to pay Bauer more than $300,000 for violating settlement terms.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That should free New England up Saturday to take some chances.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Kerr’s motion offense helped the Warriors become a dynasty by freeing up all-time great jumpshooters Curry and Klay Thompson, but some in the organization believe the offensive attack is too open to 3-point variance, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Anthony Slater.
    Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Discharge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discharge. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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