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
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
Now that same leader can be felled by an Instagram pile-on or a spurious Substack rumor, and is likelier to shy from the long, slow, gritty work of governance.
—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
At some point, the company changed its legal strategy toward fighting cases individually instead of trying to settle all of its cases in one fell swoop.
—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
General Electric was nearly felled the same year by its captive finance arm, which borrowed cheaply against its industrial parent’s rating.
—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
Now that same leader can be felled by an Instagram pile-on or a spurious Substack rumor, and is likelier to shy from the long, slow, gritty work of governance.
—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Adjective
The Avs had just checked off two of their three most-important goals for the regular season in one fell swoop.
—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
At some point, the company changed its legal strategy toward fighting cases individually instead of trying to settle all of its cases in one fell swoop.
—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
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Vanoven urged residents to stay home as crews worked the active scene, warning that downed power lines and debris would be harder to see after dark.
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Storms could also cause power outages and downed trees.
Verb
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Maintain your yard by regularly mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs, and reducing moisture to deter chiggers.
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To help prevent borers, keep weedy areas around the garden mowed well.
Verb
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Los Angeles police Friday released bodycam footage of an officer killing a woman’s pet dog in a case that has sparked outrage and questions.
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The Israeli strikes killed five people around the town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, according to the official news agency NNA, and the army said a soldier was along the victims.
Adjective
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Haiti later won a true goal thanks to a lethal shot from Isidor.
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Now 34 years later, Florida is set to execute Spencer by lethal injection on Thursday, June 25.
Adjective
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For my microgeneration, the disillusionment crept in with the savage failure of the Iraq War.
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Set in the fictional lands of Westeros, House of the Dragon depicts a savage succession struggle within House Targaryen and a resulting civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Verb
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The water-dropping helicopters returned during Friday's flare-up.
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The song became a viral hit for Sexyy Red and a few months after its January release, Nicki Minaj dropped a remix.
Verb
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Both victims died in separate mobile homes that were destroyed about two to three miles apart, Bullard said.
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If Iran’s atomic weapons infrastructure was destroyed in this war, funneling hundreds of billions into the country can’t be used to rebuild it.
Adjective
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At the same time, vaccination rates have declined, worrying experts that more people could become vulnerable to this potentially deadly but preventable infection.
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The suspect, who has not yet been identified by police, was arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of 22-year-old Nasir Majied on Friday, June 5.
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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