What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discharge
Example
The factory was ordered to discharge its waste into the river. [discharge: verb]
Example
The company had to discharge several employees due to budget cuts. [discharge: verb]
Example
The patient was discharged from the hospital after a successful surgery. [discharged: past participle]
release
Example
The animal rights group demanded the release of the captive dolphins. [release: noun]
Example
The movie studio announced the release date for the highly anticipated sequel. [release: noun]
Example
The government decided to release the classified documents to the public. [release: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Release is more commonly used than discharge in everyday language. Release is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while discharge is less common and refers to specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between discharge and release?
Both discharge and release can be used in formal or informal contexts, but discharge is more commonly associated with technical or specialized language, while release is more commonly used in everyday language.
