1
as in dropping
to strike (someone) so forcefully as to cause a fall
a champion boxer who was shockingly felled in the first round
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
as in killing
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of felling
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
The first phase of the project also requires felling 50 square miles of pristine rainforest.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
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
The first phase of the project also requires felling 50 square miles of pristine rainforest.
—M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for felling
Verb
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Tu knows this season will look and feel a lot different for people this year (between the limited funds for gifts, traveling to see family and dropping money on once-a-year expenses).—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Arizona transfer torched KU last year, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and dropping 19 points.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Cormican and sheriff’s deputies spent that afternoon traveling back and forth across the lake at about four miles an hour, as if mowing a lawn, pulling the towfish on a cable behind them.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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The gang starts getting creepy, threatening notes right as Ghostface shows up and starts mowing local teens down.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gerard Damiano was a smart guy, a hairdresser from the Bronx who directed Deep Throat and the follow-up, Devil in Miss Jones, which were killing it at the box office, high up on Variety’s Top 50 list of the highestgrossing films.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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The storm was the deadliest typhoon to hit the country this year, killing at least 114 people, with many more reported missing — most in Cebu province, a tourist hotspot.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Take William Shakespeare, who is often portrayed as a carouser, downing pints while exchanging barbs with his fellow writers, cheating on his wife with both men and women, passionately engaging his quill to reimagine the very nature of the human being.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
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Prosecutor Andrew Figliuzzi claimed Chambers dined at a Houston restaurant before hitting three bars on the night of the crash, per the Chronicle, allegedly downing at least six alcoholic beverages and using cocaine.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And candidates who stoked fear in voters — with the threat of towering multi-family complexes destroying their communities or costly local infrastructure projects driving up taxes — lost by clear margins.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
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Derek Lopez, 27, was fired from his role at the university after he was caught on camera destroying a Turning Point display.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
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After an incompletion on third down, McCashland’s 25-yard field goal attempt was no good, hitting the right upright with 17 seconds remaining in the half.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Reeves is currently on Broadway with his Bill & Ted co-star Alex Winter, slaying in Waiting for Godot at the Hudson Theatre.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
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Unfortunately, the serial killer known as John Doe is ritualistically slaying victims by turning the seven deadly sins into symbolic, atrocious murders.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Giants clinched the National League West on the final day of the regular season in 2010 before toppling the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Rangers.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
6 Nov. 2025
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There was one instance of vandals toppling monuments.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Felling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/felling. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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