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
Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
They’re supposed to do fine in extreme heat and snow, though residents of other cities have had to rescue them when they’ve been felled by weather.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2025
Italian seasoning is a floral medley of a variety of herbs and adds fantastic flavor in one fell swoop.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
Onscreen, a bridezilla sent an equivalent table soaring through a banquet hall, felling at least one chandelier.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
They’re supposed to do fine in extreme heat and snow, though residents of other cities have had to rescue them when they’ve been felled by weather.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
With their selection of Paul, though, the franchise is essentially tearing up that entire ethos in one fell swoop.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 10 Sep. 2025
Italian seasoning is a floral medley of a variety of herbs and adds fantastic flavor in one fell swoop.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
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Then there's the mental hurdle of downing a glass of brown or yellow liquid.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
17 Oct. 2025
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The junior running back rushed for a pair of touchdowns and caught another as his team recovered a fumble and recorded three interceptions en route to downing crosstown rival East Ridge 23-15 at TCO Stadium in Eagan.—
Frank Rajkowski,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Do your best to maintain a healthy, lush lawn by watering correctly, keeping the soil nutrient-rich, and mowing at the correct height for your type of lawn turf.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 Oct. 2025
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Around the house or farm, the USDA says habitat modifications can help prevent ticks, including mowing the grass, removing trees, reducing shade by thinning trees and placing mulch barriers.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Four people were killed and another four were injured in two head-on collisions on Arkansas roads Friday and Saturday, according to preliminary police reports.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
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Listeria infects 1,250 people in the United States each year, according to the CDC, and kills about 172.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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McIlroy’s driver is typically his most lethal weapon.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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Less than a month later, Skaggs died alone in a hotel room in Southlake, Texas, at the beginning of an Angels road trip of what was later determined to be a lethal combination of fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The ensuing carnage was swift and savage.—
Paul Solotaroff,
Rolling Stone,
12 Oct. 2025
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Near the end of Robert Altman’s savage showbiz satire, Roberts appears briefly as herself, playing a part in a movie-within-a-movie about a woman on death row.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Harvard sociologist and Assistant Professor of Public Policy Liz McKenna said that in the past, movements of this scale have succeeded in influencing social change, but that their efficacy has dropped significantly since the turn of the century.—
NPR,
NPR,
18 Oct. 2025
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San Diego could overtake with a win and Vancouver loss, but the expansion side could also drop as low as fourth, with Minnesota and LAFC able to rise as high as second.—
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Almost every building is damaged or destroyed beyond repair.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
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According to Craig Croucher of the Bot Builders, around 300 spectators turned out to watch the robots destroy each other.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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However, as Chambers’ trial kicked off on Friday, her attorney, Mark Thiessen, suggested an alternate reason for the deadly crash.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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Because gas leaks can lead to fires or explosions, and CO can be deadly even in small amounts, both types of detectors are critical for home kitchen safety.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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