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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fell
Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
Little more than an hour later, he would be felled by an assassin’s bullet.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025
Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Reducing the Sun-Times staff by 20% in one fell swoop, however, could presage a significant change in the content produced by Chicago’s longtime No. 2 newspaper, which has struggled financially for years.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
Perez dropped it on the concrete landing next to where he was felled.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
Little more than an hour later, he would be felled by an assassin’s bullet.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Spain is rife with world-class dining establishments and centuries-old landmarks, but to experience both concepts in one fell swoop, Burgos is an ideal destination.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Reducing the Sun-Times staff by 20% in one fell swoop, however, could presage a significant change in the content produced by Chicago’s longtime No. 2 newspaper, which has struggled financially for years.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
-
McGhie hit 20 3s in the first round, 21 in the semifinals and 20 in the championship round to defeat Missouri’s Caleb Gill, who downed 15 3s in the title round.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
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Please send your reports of hail and/or wind damage, including trees or large limbs downed, by calling the National Weather Service office in Newport at 1-800-889-6889.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Here's exactly when to start mowing your lawn, depending on your growing conditions and grass type.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Mar. 2025
-
That insulation and humidity retention can improve germination, and the cover can be removed as the new grass approaches mowing height.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Rick kills one of the security men, as Chelsea is shot in the chest.—
Colleen Kratofil,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Scottish sheep farmer and Whitfield’s right-hand man, Banner Creighton, experiences a change of heart in the final episode but is killed at the station after saving Jacob’s life.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But South Carolina lawmakers saw it as the quickest and most humane way to kill an inmate, especially with the uncertainty in obtaining lethal injection drugs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2025
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Given the choice of lethal injection, electrocution and firing squad, Weiss said Mahdi chose the lesser of three evils.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Dec. 2022
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As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.—
Tom Yulsman,
Discover Magazine,
27 Dec. 2022
Verb
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 320.01 to 37,645.59, and the Nasdaq composite sank 335.35 to 15,267.91.—
Time,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
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Markets dropped sharply over several days after the President’s announcement.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The gangs have resumed kidnappings, while burning hospitals and destroying schools.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
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Eventually, the artwork was destroyed.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what led to the deadly incident.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Trump has attempted to crack down on pro-Palestinian campus protests against U.S. ally Israel's devastating military assault on Gaza, which has caused a humanitarian crisis in the enclave and followed a deadly October 2023 attack by Islamist group Hamas.—
Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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