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
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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
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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
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
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2025
The former allows voters to honor four hip-hop stars in one fell swoop, but the latter might be a more attractive selection for those who prefer more heady rap tracks.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
However, the miniature accessories didn’t seem to stop a group of humans from felling and butchering the elephant.
—Adjective
Additionally, stores like Saatva include free white-glove delivery to set up the mattress in your home and remove an old mattress in one fell swoop.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
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Report downed power lines to the police.—
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Knowles downed his and then reached over and drank the two belonging to a girl next to him, who didn’t care much for liquor.—
Verb
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Ross has mowed through Tony Sparano, Todd Bowles (interim), Joe Philbin, Dan Campbell (interim), Adam Gase, Brian Flores and now McDaniel.—
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Backup offensive lineman Thayer Munford whiffed blocking the Patriots' first run, but otherwise mowed defenders down as a fullback and moving tight end.—
Verb
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Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.—
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Four people were killed over a four-day period in crashes on Arkansas highways, according to preliminary Arkansas State Police reports.—
Adjective
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The blackout slashed internet access to a fraction of normal levels on the 13th day of the protests as rights groups, including Amensty International, accused the regime of using lethal force against protesters.—
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An 11-week-old baby died in 2024 in Lakewood because a bottle of baby formula fed to him was contaminated with lethal amounts of methamphetamine.—
Adjective
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This league is a savage league.—
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The fifth-place finisher also reveals the inspiration for her savage jury question to Savannah.—
Verb
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Originally born in Colorado and raised in Colorado Springs, Good had just dropped her 6-year-old son off at school before being killed, according to the Associated Press.—
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The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.—
Verb
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So, automation can be used to destroy labor or workers’ power, but it can also be used in the opposite direction.—
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Homes, businesses and synagogues were destroyed.—
Adjective
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The Burbank Police Department also shared a security camera video from the deadly shootout.—
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Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.—
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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