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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 fell
Charlie Campbell, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
The irreverent gift shop has endured economic and cultural shifts that have hollowed out malls across the country, felling once-prominent stores like Brookstone, The Limited, Sam Goody, and countless others.
—Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 6 Dec. 2024
Clara McMahon, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
In one fell swoop, Trump and Netanyahu did more to achieve Israeli-Arab rapprochement than all previous American presidents and Israeli prime ministers combined.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
Whether that sudden shift befuddled his opponent is unclear, but just 40 seconds later Shang Zhifa was sprawled on the canvas, felled by a vicious right hand.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
The irreverent gift shop has endured economic and cultural shifts that have hollowed out malls across the country, felling once-prominent stores like Brookstone, The Limited, Sam Goody, and countless others.
—Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
It can be used day and night to deliver a boost of radiance in one fell swoop.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
In one fell swoop, Trump and Netanyahu did more to achieve Israeli-Arab rapprochement than all previous American presidents and Israeli prime ministers combined.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
-
In this case, the Zero Day attack downed dozens of systems for one whole minute, causing widespread catastrophe and the deaths of more than 3,000 people.—
Jackie Strause,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Feb. 2025
-
The structure had downed wires on top of it, first responders stressed.—
Graham Smith,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Workers will now mow less frequently and have less regular maintenance of Yuba City’s downtown district.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Then, prune overgrown trees and shrubs, trim tall grasses and weedy areas, mow regularly to keep your lawn cut close, and consider calling a chimney sweep to clean out your chimney.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
When his family was away on trips, the thrift store owner would lure men to his home and kill them.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
Fox News,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Using archival newspaper reports and interviews with a local historian, here’s a blow-by-blow recreation of the Ashley Gang’s demise — from Sept. 12, 1924, the day of the Bank of Pompano robbery, to Nov. 1, 1924, the day police killed the gangsters.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Chris Wood is in lethal goalscoring form, while goalkeeper Matz Sels has notched 10 clean sheets this season — just one behind Liverpool’s record of 11.—
Julia Ranney,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The Minderoo Foundation, founded in 2001 and co-led by Forrest and his wife from whom he is separated, has come to fund everything from efforts to address lethal humidity to climate migration.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
The Trump administration recently ordered the Southern District of New York to drop the corruption case against Adams.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Days after the access cutoff, the department took the highly controversial step of moving to drop the case.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Baldoni countersued, accusing Lively, Reynolds and Sloane of seeking to destroy his career.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Many other belongings from his tomb are believed to have been relocated due to the flooding that destroyed it.—
Francesca Aton for ArtNews,
Robb Report,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The deadly blaze erupted Saturday just before 2 p.m. near Fenwick Street, officials told WFSB-TV.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Armed gangs now control approximately 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, carrying out kidnappings, extortion, and deadly clashes with security forces.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share