What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discharge
Example
The hospital discharged the patient after they recovered. [discharged: verb]
Example
The company had to discharge several employees due to budget cuts. [discharge: verb]
Example
He was given an honorable discharge from the military after serving his term. [discharge: noun]
expel
Example
The school expelled the student for breaking the rules. [expelled: verb]
Example
The mechanic had to expel the air from the brake lines to fix the problem. [expel: verb]
Example
The board of directors decided to expel the member for violating the code of conduct. [expel: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discharge is more commonly used than expel in medical, legal, and military contexts, while expel is more commonly used in educational and organizational contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between discharge and expel?
Discharge can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while expel is more commonly used in formal contexts.
