as in to ring
to make the clear sound heard when metal vibrates
the church bells knelled to mark the death of the nation's beloved leader
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in indicator
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knell
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Conversely, tax noncompliance could be the death knell undermining an otherwise strong application.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite that, though, sources have said this isn’t exactly the death knell for the show.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Sep. 2025
The United Kingdom, France and Germany took the first step on Thursday in snapping back severe sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, signaling the death knell for the Obama-era nuclear deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knell
Verb
Instability doesn’t have to be a creative death knell, of course.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Conversely, tax noncompliance could be the death knell undermining an otherwise strong application.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Despite that, though, sources have said this isn’t exactly the death knell for the show.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Sep. 2025
The United Kingdom, France and Germany took the first step on Thursday in snapping back severe sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, signaling the death knell for the Obama-era nuclear deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knell
Verb
-
Video shows the trio standing ominously in the front yard before taking turns ringing the bell, knocking on the door and, at one point, jiggling its handle.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Concern was etched in her voice and guilt rang through me.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Amid grills cooking savory barbecue, bubbles blowing from an ice cream truck, face painting and peals of laughter from kids in a nearby bouncy house, Justine Mosely Stephens was struggling not to tear up.—
Darcel Rockett,
Chicago Tribune,
6 July 2025
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Amal wore a strapless white Tamara Ralph Haute Couture gown which was draped in peals from top to bottom, with some wrapped around her arms below the shoulder.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2025
Noun
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With the government shutdown halting most economic data, the sharp one-week drop in mortgage rates stands out as one of the few indicators still being released.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
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In the quarter, Coca-Cola benefitted from stronger performance among premium brands such as Smartwater and Topo Chico, which the company noted were favored by higher-income consumers—an indicator that those segments may have been more willing or able to accept higher price points.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The bell tolled again on Sunday.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
While judges can toll statutes of limitations, in effect suspending the statute to allow litigation, none in the Bailey, Chalmers, Pryor and Robinson cases found sufficient reason to do so.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The spate of ding-dong-ditch killings has led some authorities to urge kids and teens not to do the prank at all.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
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In 2020, three 16-year-olds were killed when a man rammed his car into their vehicle in retaliation for pulling a ding-dong-ditch prank on him.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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After a quick bar brawl with some hotheaded members of the SDN, their not-date pushes forward into mixed-signal territory as Blazer brings Robert to a billboard overlooking the Hollywood Hills.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
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Central Indiana Cycling, a bicycling advocacy organization, praised the HAWK signals and other design features like raised crosswalks for enhancing safety.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There are dings from streetcars on Canal Street, chimes from slot machines at Caesars New Orleans Hotel & Casino, and celebratory symphonies from innumerable trumpets on countless stages and streetcorners.—
Matt Alderton,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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For his part, Elliott has impressed Villa personnel with his attitude and application, which chimes with Emery’s coaching staff’s uber-meticulous professional standards.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Cloudy chords, meditative tintinnabulation, the whoosh of wind and rain, blocks of iridescent brass — all these discrete sonorities trundled by, like a train of boxcars with panoramas painted on their sides.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
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Shivaree, chthonian, erumpent, tintinnabulation, exonumia, requiescat, deipnosophist, omphaloskepsis, horripilation, deliquesce, apopemptic.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Oct. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Knell.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knell. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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