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
Greg Cote
updated March 29, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
More traditional Bachelor Nation fans annoyed by the influencer-ification of reality TV already considered Paul the death knell for the franchise even before the recent scandal.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Critics across the globe, meanwhile, have described the sentence as a death knell for a once more free Hong Kong—as well as a signal of what could be in store for other places China has its eye on, namely Taiwan.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Should the movie be considered its death knell?
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knell
Noun
Florida is technically still alive in the NHL playoff hunt but not realistically -- with Saturday’s 5-2 loss at the Islanders close to a death knell.
—Greg Cote
updated March 29, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
More traditional Bachelor Nation fans annoyed by the influencer-ification of reality TV already considered Paul the death knell for the franchise even before the recent scandal.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Critics across the globe, meanwhile, have described the sentence as a death knell for a once more free Hong Kong—as well as a signal of what could be in store for other places China has its eye on, namely Taiwan.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Should the movie be considered its death knell?
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knell
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knell
Verb
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The White House Correspondents' Dinner, an annual event that brings together top government officials and the journalists who cover them, descended into chaos on Saturday after shots rang out at the Washington Hilton.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2026
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The man filmed casually eating a salad as everyone else ducked for cover after shots rang out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is speaking out.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Magaletti ventures a tentative introduction of brushes on snares; following the muted peal of distant thunder, upsammy chimes in with a plangent synthesizer sequence reminiscent of Arovane and other IDM producers from around the turn of the millennium.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
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The silence of the lake—save for the gentle peal of church bells on Sunday mornings and the plop of ducks plunging beneath the water surface—is a rare and unforgettable pleasure.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Runser referenced indicators in manufacturing showing the sector is expanding, which is supportive of future freight demand.—
Dylan Sherman,
Arkansas Online,
28 Apr. 2026
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The index is a future indicator of lease signings about a year or more out.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Indonesia’s neighbors have responded differently to the idea of tolling the Strait of Malacca.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
This is the track that has been pushing up so that the Iranians can toll.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In North Carolina, a juvenile was shot in the leg after a homeowner fired at a vehicle during a late-night ding-dong ditch-style prank, according to police.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
17 Jan. 2026
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Legal experts note people playing ding-dong ditch can also face charges, with offenses ranging from criminal trespass to disorderly conduct.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Analysts said the decision could serve as a signal to founders about relocating sensitive technology overseas.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
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Transportation officials say the ongoing closures are part of an effort to modernize signals and improve the reliability of subway service, with work expected to wrap in 2027.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The robot will chime when the process is done.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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An alarm that chimes instead of buzzes.—
Stephen Watson,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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 1 May. 2026.
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