felling

present participle of fell
1
2
as in mowing
to bring down by cutting the settlers began the daunting task of felling the mighty trees that blanketed the island

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of felling In wildfire prone areas, that can mean felling trees and clearing vegetation to create a defense zone around homes and buildings. Contessa Brewer,dawn Giel, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025 While Healey, 54, was bogged down over issues like Canadian energy, trade, tourism and tariffs, as well as meetings with Canadian premiers, Wu, 40, was in Nova Scotia felling a huge Christmas tree. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 24 Nov. 2025 This year, the Pahang state government has led enforcement operations that involved felling decades-old durian trees and issued eviction notices to farmers, which the farmers have disputed. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Nov. 2025 Grainier‘s an itinerant lumber man who worked the Pacific Northwest at the turn of the 20th century, felling timber and building railroads. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025 However, the miniature accessories didn’t seem to stop a group of humans from felling and butchering the elephant. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Oct. 2025 Onscreen, a bridezilla sent an equivalent table soaring through a banquet hall, felling at least one chandelier. Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for felling
Verb
  • Since it was designated the first national recreation area in 1964, hordes of visitors have cut Lake Mead’s glassy surface with jet skis and boats, carelessly dropping belongings that may now wash up on shore.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The dropping water levels could imperil Lake Powell's ability to generate electricity, and federal officials have been pulling water out of smaller reservoirs upstream to help buy time.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The workers are in the district’s landscape maintenance, conservation and experiential programming, fleet and facilities departments — clearing roads, mowing lawns, cleaning buildings, maintaining trails and emptying trash cans.
    A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Mowing Too Close Most people consider mowing a chore and want to mow as infrequently as possible.
    Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Such attacks are common in Nigeria, where multiple armed groups operate, killing and kidnapping people for ransom.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Plane crash in Alaska A charter plane carrying eight people crashed near a remote radar site in western Alaska, killing everyone on board.
    Irene Byon, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Walter Johnson won his American League-record 15th straight game, downing Cleveland 4-2 in the opener of a doubleheader.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Tahj Washington made a special teams play, downing a Bradley Pinion punt at the 2-yard line.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The show was filmed across Northern Ireland, and the weather proved to be brutal, with the rain constantly destroying sets that had to be rebuilt.
    Matt Minton, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Ukrainian defenders repelled the attack and posted video footage of their kamikaze drone strikes destroying at least seven T-72B3A tanks, including some that carried the Arena-M system, according to Euromaidan Press.
    Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Duran started the year hitting third and now bats seventh or eighth, and his hold on everyday playing time might have been saved by Masataka Yoshida’s injury — at least until Roman Anthony’s return.
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Digging for compliments Shares in mining giant BHP are trading higher in Australia, hitting a two-month high, after the company topped earnings expectations and unveiled plans to pay its highest dividend in four years.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Manson murders spawned at least one copycat slaying in February 1970, The New York Times reported.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Symbolism Historically, dragon-slaying stories portrayed the treasure hoard as the ultimate test of a hero’s character.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • Engineers expected the ship’s life to end with a fiery disintegration after toppling over, just as past Starships have done following splashdown.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Henry County officials are also investigating a possible tornado that moved through New Castle, Indiana, on Wednesday, toppling trees and ripping the roof off a commercial building.
    Michelle Simmons, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Felling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/felling. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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