1
as in to down
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
a champion boxer who was shockingly felled in the first round
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to mow
to bring down by cutting
the settlers began the daunting task of felling the mighty trees that blanketed the island
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to kill
to deprive of life
the quest for a cure for malaria, the disease that felled so many during the digging of the Panama Canal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
planning for the distribution of resources in case of some fell event
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in savage
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition
a once-mighty nation conquered by a fell and barbarous enemy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fell
Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
Floorboards were milled from walnut trees felled at a construction site in North Carolina.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Apr. 2026
Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Mar. 2026
The 39-year-old photographer from Beirut captured a stunning sequence of images in the early hours of Wednesday, showing an Israeli missile demolishing a tower block in one fell swoop.
—Max Butterworth, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
Jeff Shell, now felled from his presidency of Paramount, is living proof.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
Floorboards were milled from walnut trees felled at a construction site in North Carolina.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Most of these brands are still relatively up-and-coming in South Korea, and in bringing them Stateside in one fell swoop, Ulta looks to be a first-mover in the fast-growing Korean hair care category.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Mar. 2026
The 39-year-old photographer from Beirut captured a stunning sequence of images in the early hours of Wednesday, showing an Israeli missile demolishing a tower block in one fell swoop.
—Max Butterworth, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
-
Credit is due to Patrick Bertoletti, who downed 58 dogs and buns in Chestnut's absence to take home the title two years ago.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, claimed to have downed at least 53 Ukrainian drones overnight.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Tom Coyne mowing the fairway at Sullivan County Golf Club.—
Lee Cowan,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
The bottom line for your yard The dandelion debate is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and that includes the freedom to prefer a mowed lawn.—
Ryan Brennan
May 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The couple had tied the knot less than two months before she was killed, the outlet reported at the time.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
Tim’s best friend in high school, Chris, was tragically killed in service.—
Charleen Richey,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Luminous yet lethal, Rudolph carries herself with enough conviction to make the reluctant royal daughter of the barbaric Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford) feel inherently consequential.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
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Hantavirus infection can be lethal in up to 40% of cases.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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This time playing an underling rather than a boss, Hoskins gave one of the best performances of his career in what remains a high point for Jordan as well, a lyrical and poignant yet savage film noir filled with regret, rage, and unrequited love.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
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The famed African American journalist investigated lynchings across the South and wrote about the savage incidents that the white press had already explained away.—
Case Thorp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Four of the seven matches went to Super Tiebreakers, and Cypress Bay had to dig out of a 2-0 hole after dropping their two singles matches.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
The stock has dropped 23% so far this year, reversing course after a climb of just over 64% in 2025.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The Trinity fire, which started May 1 in Phelan, burned 19 acres with no structures damaged, though the blaze destroyed an unknown number of Joshua trees.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces destroyed several military and other targets, while also inflicting significant damage on oil port infrastructure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Hantavirus is more common in Asia and Europe, where the strains that circulate are less deadly, with a case fatality rate that ranges from less than 1% to 15%.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
-
Germany has been rocked by a string of deadly car ramming attacks in recent years.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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