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
Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 7 Aug. 2025
Anderson’s account of the shah in the 1970s is a familiar story of an Icarus-like figure felled by his own hubris.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2025
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2025
These classic vacuums are known for their huge dust bin capacities—ideal for cleaning the whole house in one fell swoop—as well as their powerful suction technology.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
This coastal Douglas fir grows in a remnant old-growth stand on the east side of Coos County in Oregon; a state in which most of the largest, oldest trees were felled in the frenzy of logging.
—Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 7 Aug. 2025
Anderson’s account of the shah in the 1970s is a familiar story of an Icarus-like figure felled by his own hubris.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Colleen began building from there, fashioning both her first-ever custom look and first wedding dress in one fell swoop.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2025
These classic vacuums are known for their huge dust bin capacities—ideal for cleaning the whole house in one fell swoop—as well as their powerful suction technology.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
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Defending forces downed or suppressed 430 drones and 21 missiles, the air force said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
3 Sep. 2025
-
After this year’s July 17 storm, during which between 7 and 11 inches of rain fell over Wyandotte County, public works staff found blockages in the roads, areas that were washed out, at least 40 downed trees and erosion throughout the area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Under the new process, property owners will still receive a notice when a violation occurs, but if the issue is not corrected within seven days, the Parks and Recreation Department will step in to mow or clean the property, the release states.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
3 Sep. 2025
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Even though the weather is much more tolerable than in the hot summer months, once that fall feeling arrives, the end of mowing the grass for the year is in sight.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Over the past two months, Texans have used green ribbons with bows to commemorate the lives lost in the July 4 Hill Country flooding, which killed more than 100 people, including more than two dozen girls and counselors from Camp Mystic in Hunt.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
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Jerry Jeudy makes far too much money to wreck possessions with two drops, one that killed a drive and another that resulted in a crushing interception.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This mix of impulsivity and ambivalence highlights why a safe environment – without access to firearms or other lethal methods – can be the difference between life and death for someone in crisis.—
Emmy Betz,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
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Executions are on hold in Idaho as the state prison system remodels its execution chamber in the transition from lethal injection to a firing squad as the lead method.—
Kevin Fixler
September 5,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This thrilling prequel stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa and Alyla Browne as young Furiosa, who is abducted by the savage warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) — leader of the Biker Horde — and spends the next decade in captivity plotting her revenge and escape.—
Charlotte Walsh,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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There was a time when loving someone of the wrong gender could result in harassment, arrest or a savage beating.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Alcaraz is averaging fewer than 10 games dropped per match, and his 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 victory was his second-closest encounter so far.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Acosta allowed it, and IMG destroyed them.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Later, Howard calls Matt and agrees to cut the sequence but also threatens to destroy him.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Over the past 48 hours, Nepal has been rocked by deadly mass protests led by young people who are frustrated over the country's leadership.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
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Rip currents are the deadliest of surf-zone dangers, making up the majority of deaths among beach swimmers every year, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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