complete and discharge share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. complete means “come or bring to a finish or an end”. discharge means “complete or carry out”. complete is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/kəmˈplit/
1.v.come or bring to a finish or an end
“He finished the dishes”
2.v.bring to a whole, with all the necessary parts or elements
“A child would complete the family”
3.v.complete or carry out
“discharge one's duties”
/dɪsˈtʃɑɹdʒ/
1.v.complete or carry out
“discharge one's duties”
2.v.pour forth or release
“discharge liquids”
3.v.free from obligations or duties
| complete | discharge | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /kəmˈplit/ | /dɪsˈtʃɑɹdʒ/ |
| Said | kuhm-PLEET | dis-CHAHRJ |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Letters | 8 | 9 |
| Parts of speech | verb, adjective | verb, noun |
| Senses | 10 | 20 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | finish | dispatch, complete |
Full entry for complete · Full entry for discharge · More comparisons