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
Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
And to be sure, there were winds and rain strong enough to fell several trees, flood a few roads, and knock out power in some Maryland and Virginia suburbs.
—Scott Simon, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Mar. 2026
The 39-year-old photographer from Beirut captured a stunning sequence of images in the early hours of Wednesday, showing an Israeli missile demolishing a tower block in one fell swoop.
—Max Butterworth, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
With a hollow interior trunk, Stumpy was among 158 trees felled in 2024 as part of a project aimed at shoring up a sea wall near the National Mall.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
And to be sure, there were winds and rain strong enough to fell several trees, flood a few roads, and knock out power in some Maryland and Virginia suburbs.
—Scott Simon, NPR, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Most of these brands are still relatively up-and-coming in South Korea, and in bringing them Stateside in one fell swoop, Ulta looks to be a first-mover in the fast-growing Korean hair care category.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Mar. 2026
The 39-year-old photographer from Beirut captured a stunning sequence of images in the early hours of Wednesday, showing an Israeli missile demolishing a tower block in one fell swoop.
—Max Butterworth, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
-
Photos from the Messenger show downed trees blocking a road and damage to a mobile home in Bridgeport.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
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As the sun sets, the fruit bats swoop among the trees as couples and young families lounge on large poolside cabanas, downing languid cocktails and listening to live guitar strums before heading for a casual dinner.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Avoid mowing with dull blades; sharpen frequently.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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The city plans to create a park on the property and mow a trail through the prairie and woods for walking.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Turkey denies the deaths constituted genocide, saying the toll has been inflated and that those killed were victims of civil war and unrest.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Denver police on Thursday arrested a 28-year-old man who investigators said shot and killed another man in a fight near South Broadway and West Maple Avenue, department officials said in a news release.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Little in the past acknowledged his preference for lethal injection between the two methods, sharing concerns over the impacts on corrections officials from participating in a firing squad execution.—
Kevin Fixler
April 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But as the data shows, violence is largely concentrated among a small number of individuals and increasingly smaller, yet no less violent and lethal, groups of street gangs and crews.—
Andrew S. Boutros,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This time playing an underling rather than a boss, Hoskins gave one of the best performances of his career in what remains a high point for Jordan as well, a lyrical and poignant yet savage film noir filled with regret, rage, and unrequited love.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
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The famed African American journalist investigated lynchings across the South and wrote about the savage incidents that the white press had already explained away.—
Case Thorp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Five hours before the puck dropped, the get-in price was $239 for a ticket in the top row of the arena.—
Todd Harmonson,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Greenard is a strong fit for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme with his ability to pressure the quarterback, play physically in the run game and even drop into coverage on occasions.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Thankfully, the Dark Sky movement is growing as more people become aware of the issue and learn about simple and cost-effective ways that can be embraced to reverse the course of destroying our night skies.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Radioactive clouds spread, causing panic as far away as Germany and Britain; millions of litres of milk were dumped; livestock was destroyed or banned from sale.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As Operation Midway Blitz began to wind down in the Chicago area last November, federal immigration agents launched a new and deadly surge of enforcement in Minneapolis in December and earlier this year.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Dehydration can be dangerous and downright deadly, and that's even more true for a senior.—
Aly Walansky,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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