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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fell
Rema Rahman - 06, The Hill, 13 June 2025
In 2016, police investigators confirmed that a 300-meter-high (nearly 1,000 feet) telecommunications mast in southwestern Sweden was intentionally felled, leaving around 85,000 households without TV broadcasts and affecting emergency announcements.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Phil Rockrohr, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Pros: Fresh scent; lathers well; balances hair and scalp
Cons: Can leave residue in hair if not thoroughly rinsed
Key ingredients: Violet rice water, hyaluronic acid
Aptly named, this bargain buy will help boost your hair’s strength and deeply hydrate in one fell swoop.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Verb
Presidents before Trump have been felled by the Middle East, and Trump has had some successes with Ukraine, most notably the signing of a mineral rights deal with Kyiv.
—Rema Rahman - 06, The Hill, 13 June 2025
In 2016, police investigators confirmed that a 300-meter-high (nearly 1,000 feet) telecommunications mast in southwestern Sweden was intentionally felled, leaving around 85,000 households without TV broadcasts and affecting emergency announcements.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Adjective
After the Park District was awarded a $2.8 million state grant for the renovations, officials decided to finish the whole project in one fell swoop, Leiner said.
—Phil Rockrohr, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Pros: Fresh scent; lathers well; balances hair and scalp
Cons: Can leave residue in hair if not thoroughly rinsed
Key ingredients: Violet rice water, hyaluronic acid
Aptly named, this bargain buy will help boost your hair’s strength and deeply hydrate in one fell swoop.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fell
Verb
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On the women’s side, defending champion Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, won her 11th title, downing 33 dogs, and beating out 12 others, including a mother-daughter pair.—
Mankaprr Conteh,
Rolling Stone,
4 July 2025
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Under sunny skies in 78-degree weather, which could be described as near-perfect conditions to spend July 4th outside in Brooklyn consuming frankfurters, Chesnut’s victory wasn’t even close, with the next closest competitor downing 24 fewer hot dogs.—
David Close,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
Verb
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With the abundance of rain and sunshine in the summer, grass can grow at an almost alarming rate, forcing homeowners to mow their lawns frequently.—
Brandi Fuller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 July 2025
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Pay attention to the weather and wait to mow until the grass has dried and the soil is firm following a rainfall event.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 July 2025
Verb
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In that incident, a rooftop gunman fired at Trump from roughly 150 yards away, grazing his right ear and killing one attendee, Corey Comperatore, before Secret Service agents shot the attacker dead.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
-
At least 15 people were killed including, two nuns.—
Jacqueline Charles
July 11,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Police said less lethal munitions were deployed by federal authorities.—
Jenna Sundel
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
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An attempt to execute an inmate by lethal injection in February 2024 was called off after prison staff failed to properly attach IV lines.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Verb
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As the team on the field was losing 5-1 to the Arizona Diamondbacks to drop to 47-49, the team in the front office was using its No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft on a player that experts at MLB.com listed as the 18th best available prospect.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
14 July 2025
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Note: The streamer is known to drop episodes before 9 p.m., so keep an eye on the Love Island USA Season 7 page starting at around 8:30 p.m. ET.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim wildfire: National Park Service says only hotel destroyed The Grand Canyon Lodge was the park's only hotel, according the National Park Service, with the next nearest lodgings roughly 18 miles away.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
14 July 2025
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Experts have long assumed that the instrument had been destroyed or lost to history.—
Asia London Palomba,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Texan communities are dealing with the impact of the deadly flash floods along the Guadalupe River, which have killed at least 80 people so far.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
7 July 2025
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The search for those swept into deadly floods in central Texas continued Sunday as the death toll climbed to 78.—
Annabella Rosciglione,
The Washington Examiner,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fell. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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