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
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Now imagine he was felled by an assassin’s bullet.
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Though small in stature, Duiker Island serves as one of Cape Town’s crown jewels for ecotourism, showcasing the stunning beauty of the Atlantic and the African continent all in one fell swoop.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
The Campus at Horton is just one of many downtown properties felled by the post-pandemic absence of demand for office space.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
Now imagine he was felled by an assassin’s bullet.
—David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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
Though small in stature, Duiker Island serves as one of Cape Town’s crown jewels for ecotourism, showcasing the stunning beauty of the Atlantic and the African continent all in one fell swoop.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
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Report downed power lines to the police.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Oct. 2025
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Rams punter Ethan Evans has been more of a bright spot, ranking fifth in opponents’ average field position and tied for third with four downed inside the 10-yard line.—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When overseeding an existing lawn, start by mowing the existing turf to a height of two inches.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
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Each inning, the Jays’ bats went back to the box for more as Yesavage quickly mowed through the Yankees.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Taliban government's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Afghan forces have captured 25 Pakistani army posts, 58 soldiers have been killed, and 30 others wounded.—
NPR,
NPR,
12 Oct. 2025
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In Israel's ensuing offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the deaths were women and children.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
When weighing which team is better equipped for a Super Bowl run, the edge goes to a Broncos team led by Sean Payton, with Bo Nix progressing at quarterback and a lethal defense that is going to get some key pieces back from injury.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
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The consumption of these products can cause stomach problems or even lethal cases of botulism (which has happened several times over the past few years).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Trapped in their Hollywood Hills home, a family must fight for survival as a pack of savage coyotes closes in.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
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McBride sets the political context for Swift’s savage indignation by noting that 1727–1729 saw three successive harvest failures in Ireland.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Get Your Mariners Postseason Gear on Fanatics To celebrate this moment, Fanatics has dropped exclusive Mariners playoff gear with commemorative hats, t-shirts, jackets, and accessories.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
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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,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The fear of further Israeli strikes, particularly on Iran, remains acute in the public’s mind as much of Iranian air defenses likely were destroyed by Israel in June.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
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The Wild were absolutely destroyed in the faceoff circle, losing 44 of 71 (38 percent success rate).—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In April, Gumrukcu’s lavish life came crashing back to reality when he was found guilty of orchestrating a deadly hit on a former business partner who threatened to unveil the slippery Los Angeles businessman’s fraudulent past.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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What started as a joyful dance party on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah suddenly became one of the first targets and deadliest sites of a surprise terror attack by Hamas.—
Gaby Vinick,
ABC News,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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