adjective
fell
Very fierce or destructive.
The villagers fear the fell beast that prowls after dark.
Etymology
The Old French ancestor meant fierce or cruel. This adjective preserves that severity in descriptions of destructive forces or terrifying actions.
More examples
- The knight raises his shield against a fell blow.
- A fell disease spreads through the crowded city.
- The villain hides his fell purpose behind a friendly smile.
Forms
fell
Similar words
- fierce
- Emphasizes violent intensity without necessarily implying death or destruction.
- deadly
- Directly emphasizes the ability to cause death.
- destructive
- Emphasizes damage or ruin rather than cruelty or ferocity.