as in rings
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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knells
Verb
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The sentiment rings especially true for Northern Irish Christian Benjamin Dilworth, who embarked upon the Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail in May 2023 after being diagnosed with a rare chronic liver disease earlier that year.—
Mariam Amini,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026 -
Kyle Mulholland, the bartender, rings the bar’s bell, and the lights flicker as everyone cheers again and goes to close out their tabs.—
Jeremy Rellosa,
Curbed,
4 June 2026
Noun
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As the Imam intoned verses from the Quran, a series of reverberating chimes from users’ phones suddenly cut through the recitation.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
26 May 2026
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On its second album, Symbols, the duo of producer Benjamin Cools and singer Ferre Marnef adds a third member, singer Geraldine Vanspauwen, and brighten up its sound just a smidge, embracing chimes and panpipes in addition to Vanspauwen’s clear, airy vocals.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Taken together, these indicators suggest that many Americans believe our economic system is not just failing to work for them, but is fundamentally rigged against them—a conclusion made harder to dismiss by the massive, multi-decade rise in inequality.—
Lucy Lang,
Time,
10 June 2026
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These natural behaviors are important indicators of healthy development.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2026
Noun
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The album’s official versions smooth out some of the buzzy sibilance of the bootlegs, but Hold Onto Me Infinity accommodates lots of tasteful clangs and wubs.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
Noun
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The driver, identified as Rivas, showed signs of impairment, state police alleged, and fled as troopers checked him out for a potential DWI arrest.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
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Days later, the campaign was printing the slogan on lawn signs and using it on social media.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The seeds are loose and clatter around inside the pods, giving baptisia the name rattleweed, as children once used the seedpods as rattles.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
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With dresses and intimate wear for women; jewelry; personal care products; men’s wallets; baby swaddles, stuffies, rattles and teething toys; dog leashes, collars and toys; greeting cards and a wide range of home decor, the store is drawing people in.—
Sarah Kyrcz,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That generational drop-off signals a clear and urgent problem.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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Persistent low energy, irritability, brain fog and apathy toward daily life are the clearest signals that a structured wellness experience could help.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Periodically a mandolin tinkles, or maybe a fiddle swoops in as if from a low-hanging cloud.—
Theater Critic,
San Francisco Chronicle,
18 Feb. 2026
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Roberts doesn’t offer much empathy for the poor, diseased critter other than a pause when Ben momentarily ponders his reflection in a pool as Adrian Johnston’s eerie synth-piano score tinkles.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Knells.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knells. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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