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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in savage
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition
a once-mighty nation conquered by a fell and barbarous enemy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fell
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Even before the impact studies were produced, the government had already invited expressions of interest for felling trees and moved wildlife sanctuaries to other locations despite local opposition.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The eight inaugural Chicago-area Jack in the Boxes are all corporate owned and occupy former Arby’s restaurants acquired in one fell swoop from a large franchise operator to get the brand reestablished quickly in the market, Ingram said.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
Footage from the 1966 Italian documentary Africa Addio, of a herd of elephants being felled by both ground hunters and sharpshooters in helicopters, is distressing to watch.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Even before the impact studies were produced, the government had already invited expressions of interest for felling trees and moved wildlife sanctuaries to other locations despite local opposition.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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
The eight inaugural Chicago-area Jack in the Boxes are all corporate owned and occupy former Arby’s restaurants acquired in one fell swoop from a large franchise operator to get the brand reestablished quickly in the market, Ingram said.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
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Please send your reports of hail or wind damage, including trees or large limbs downed, by calling the National Weather Service office in Wilmington at 1 800 697 3901.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Sep. 2025
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Report downed power lines to the police.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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How To Dethatch Your Lawn The day before dethatching, mow your lawn as usual to trim the grass and remove excess debris from the lawn, then water the lawn lightly.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Sep. 2025
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After months of diligently mowing, weeding, and watering your lawn through summer, don't be tempted to skimp on lawn care at the end of the season.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At least four people were killed and eight were injured after a gunman attacked a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints service in Michigan on Sunday morning, police said.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
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Since finding out the gun that killed Dark Hearts member Warren Clarke (Joshua Dye) at the trap house robbery gone wrong once belonged to one of their own, Perry has been on a mission to figure out who inside the biker gang was feeding information to the thieves.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The man continued to move toward officers, who tried to use less-lethal devices that did not work before shooting him.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
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An earlier model of the killer girl 'bot was turned into a lethal weapon by the military but has gone rogue, and M3GAN's inventor (Allison Williams) needs to give the original a super-duper upgrade to stop the deadly newcomer.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023, and took more than 250 hostages in a savage attack.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
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Hamas are a bunch of savage animals.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The actor is booked and busy with multiple projects in the pipeline, which is why season 1 of Chad Powers is dropping with only six episodes.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
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According to the Old Farmers' Almanac, frost forms at temperatures near or above 32 degrees, while a freeze is when temperatures drop to or below 32 degrees.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a five-floor apartment building in the Solomyanskyi district was partially destroyed and caught fire.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
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Mexico built a hydroelectric dam, where these golden barrel cactuses live and in an instant their environment was destroyed and this species was almost wiped out.—
Eyder Peralta,
NPR,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Extensive data and research conducted by health and science experts have shown that COVID-19 is deadlier and more contagious than influenza viruses.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
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The disease is even more deadly in low- and middle-income countries that don’t have the resources to provide supportive care to children with severe infections.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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