as in to ring
to make the clear sound heard when metal vibrates
the church bells knelled to mark the death of the nation's beloved leader
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in indicator
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knell
Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 31 May 2026
The regular appearance of major celebrities on such programs is a death knell for the traditional late-night programs, which once were the place to see celebrities in more relaxed fashion.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 May 2026
Some might argue that inflation was the death knell of sustainable fashion.
—Elizabeth Cline, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
The ruling marks the death knell for Democrats’ hopes of installing a new gerrymander of the commonwealth’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections, hoping to flip up to four of Virginia’s 11 congressional seats from Republican to Democrat.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for knell
Noun
This used to be a death knell—the shoes that fit the bill were hideous until a few years ago.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 31 May 2026
The regular appearance of major celebrities on such programs is a death knell for the traditional late-night programs, which once were the place to see celebrities in more relaxed fashion.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 May 2026
Some might argue that inflation was the death knell of sustainable fashion.
—Elizabeth Cline, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
The ruling marks the death knell for Democrats’ hopes of installing a new gerrymander of the commonwealth’s congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections, hoping to flip up to four of Virginia’s 11 congressional seats from Republican to Democrat.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for knell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knell
Verb
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Gorgeous gardens and common spaces, including a large pool ringed by palm trees, and a stylish main house with plenty of sitting areas and dining nooks.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
21 June 2026
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Days before the San Diego County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt its multibillion-dollar budget for the year that begins July 1, a government watchdog group is ringing alarm bells over the fiscal health of the nation’s fifth-largest county.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2026
Noun
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Magaletti ventures a tentative introduction of brushes on snares; following the muted peal of distant thunder, upsammy chimes in with a plangent synthesizer sequence reminiscent of Arovane and other IDM producers from around the turn of the millennium.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
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The silence of the lake—save for the gentle peal of church bells on Sunday mornings and the plop of ducks plunging beneath the water surface—is a rare and unforgettable pleasure.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Hostile and benevolent sexism are early indicators of deeper problems.—
Susan Madsen,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
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The researchers emphasized that these specific measurements are critical medical indicators of an older adult's future health.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
Verb
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Trump said Xi also told him that China intended to continue buying oil from Iran, even as Beijing opposed any effort by Iran to militarize or effectively toll the Strait of Hormuz.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
14 May 2026
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Ouija boards were enshrined in glass cases throughout the room; periodically, a small silver bell tolled without warning, moving as though on its own.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
Noun
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Hopefully, now this kid can stop being a moody ass little ding-dong about it.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
8 May 2026
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While moist’s related meanings certainly might drive our dislike, Max Müller’s ding-dong theory, known now as sound symbolism, provides an alternative, suggesting it instead (or also) might have something to do with the specific sounds that are in the word.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Tania Galloni, an attorney with Earthjustice, said advocates have received mixed signals from state officials regarding the future of the facility.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
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Lectra said sequins are up 40 percent and fringe 34 percent this spring and summer season—a signal that consumers crave escapism and individuality.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
23 June 2026
Verb
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When activated, the speakers chime twice every second, with more sustained notes than those from traditional railroad crossing signals.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
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Various limited editions followed, marking a new era of mechanical watches and highly complicated timepieces, including chiming watches, which Stern was a true fan of.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Cloudy chords, meditative tintinnabulation, the whoosh of wind and rain, blocks of iridescent brass — all these discrete sonorities trundled by, like a train of boxcars with panoramas painted on their sides.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
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Shivaree, chthonian, erumpent, tintinnabulation, exonumia, requiescat, deipnosophist, omphaloskepsis, horripilation, deliquesce, apopemptic.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Oct. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Knell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knell. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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