1
as in dropping
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 mowing
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 killing
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
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 felling
In wildfire prone areas, that can mean felling trees and clearing vegetation to create a defense zone around homes and buildings.
—
Contessa Brewer,dawn Giel, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
While Healey, 54, was bogged down over issues like Canadian energy, trade, tourism and tariffs, as well as meetings with Canadian premiers, Wu, 40, was in Nova Scotia felling a huge Christmas tree.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 24 Nov. 2025
This year, the Pahang state government has led enforcement operations that involved felling decades-old durian trees and issued eviction notices to farmers, which the farmers have disputed.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
Grainier‘s an itinerant lumber man who worked the Pacific Northwest at the turn of the 20th century, felling timber and building railroads.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
However, the miniature accessories didn’t seem to stop a group of humans from felling and butchering the elephant.
—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
Contessa Brewer,dawn Giel, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
While Healey, 54, was bogged down over issues like Canadian energy, trade, tourism and tariffs, as well as meetings with Canadian premiers, Wu, 40, was in Nova Scotia felling a huge Christmas tree.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 24 Nov. 2025
This year, the Pahang state government has led enforcement operations that involved felling decades-old durian trees and issued eviction notices to farmers, which the farmers have disputed.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
Grainier‘s an itinerant lumber man who worked the Pacific Northwest at the turn of the 20th century, felling timber and building railroads.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
However, the miniature accessories didn’t seem to stop a group of humans from felling and butchering the elephant.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for felling
Verb
-
Others on the roster are known for their high-flying dunks, jaw-dropping ball-handling or seemingly limitless range.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
And figure skater Ilia Malinin continued redefining the sport, performing a jaw-dropping backflip.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Keep lawns breathable by removing leaves, mowing before winter, and avoiding foot traffic or snow piles.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Work is seasonal by nature — mowing jobs in summer, snow removal in winter.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On Tuesday morning, Russian planes dropped seven powerful glide bombs on Sloviansk, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, killing an 11-year-old girl and her mother, according to regional chief Vadym Filashkin.—
EMMA BURROWS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Prosecutors say Brian Walton of Los Angeles was a stranger to Claudia Guevara, but he’s accused of killing the woman, then 23.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And instead of—or in addition to—downing a few glasses of Bordeaux, the airline has an in-flight meditation program from Petit BamBou designed to address stress triggers like turbulence.—
Hannah Seligson,
Vanity Fair,
12 Feb. 2026
-
While the mere thought of downing eight coffees daily might conjure heart palpitations, caffeine has been at the center of Navratil’s career climb.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But when the other side is destroying it, there are worse things to be than the alternative.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The European Union is moving forward with its ban on destroying unsold clothing, footwear and accessories.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, bitcoin has dropped 50% since hitting a record high above $126,000 in October.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The car collided with the bicyclist before continuing another block and hitting the bakery section of a 99 Ranch Market location in the Westwood neighborhood.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Imagine our surprise when the new South Florida resident popped up at the Sports Illustrated show at Miami Swim Week in June, slaying the catwalk like a boss.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
27 Dec. 2025
-
Now, the roles are reversed and he’s tasked with slaying the giant.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Placing seedlings inside a cardboard box with an open top can prevent pots from toppling over if there’s a strong breeze.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The development is the latest as Syria's new leaders have struggled since toppling former President Bashar Assad in December 2024 to assert their full authority over the country torn by nearly 14 years of civil war.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Felling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/felling. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
