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
The Week Us, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
Afterward, Agnes and I were felled by the kind of hunger that overtakes only those who have exerted themselves in cold weather.
—Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
And that creates just the kind of atmosphere where strong men emerge promising to solve all of our problems in one fell swoop.
—NBC news, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
Cortina Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi received death threats after centuries-old trees were felled to make way for a $131 million bobsledding track.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
Afterward, Agnes and I were felled by the kind of hunger that overtakes only those who have exerted themselves in cold weather.
—Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The mascara is made with rich black pigments that define lashes in one fell swoop, plus nourishing peptides and shea butter to condition them at the same time.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
And that creates just the kind of atmosphere where strong men emerge promising to solve all of our problems in one fell swoop.
—NBC news, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
-
The fatal shooting comes just one day after the 30-year anniversary of when the Cuban military downed two planes belonging to the Cuban-American humanitarian organization Brothers to the Rescue over the waters north of Havana, killing four.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Eastwood downed Wolfforth Frenship 55-43 on Tuesday.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Consider a substitute ground cover in hard to mow or problem areas where grass won’t grow.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Declutter your yard or porch, wash the driveway and walkway before showings, and make sure the lawn is mowed and the garden is tended to.—
Sheila Kim,
The Spruce,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In 1983 Iran’s proxies carried out the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American military personnel.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Salinas did not specify how many people had been killed in the crash and said the cause was being investigated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Birmingham's Thomas Rainwater, the casino magnate and Broken Rock Reservation boss, will also feature heavily on Marshals alongside Mo (Mo Brings Plenty), his lethal right hand.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Though law enforcement agencies consider pepper spray less lethal, more research is needed to assess its safety.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
They were met with savage brutality, with as many as 30,000 murdered by their own government.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
-
But they were met with savage brutality, with as many as 30,000 souls murdered by their own government.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For the past several seasons, Probst has hosted a companion podcast, On Fire With Jeff Probst, which ordinarily drops weekly episodes that recap each episode of the CBS reality competition show.—
Staff Author,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Last weekend, Coastal Carolina beat VCU twice while dropping a decision to Illinois.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In eastern Afghanistan, the Department of Information and Culture accused Pakistan of targeting civilian areas, destroying homes and killing at least 11 people.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
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The Democrat said Iran’s defenses were weakened and Saturday there was an opportunity to destroy remaining military assets.—
Anthony Shoemaker,
The Columbus Dispatch,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Highways were jammed overnight and into Monday with people fleeing after what was Israel's deadliest barrage on Lebanon in more than a year, striking hours after Hezbollah fired missiles across the border for the first time in more than a year.—
FADI TAWIL,
Arkansas Online,
3 Mar. 2026
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The deadly attack is among 56 mass shootings in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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