Apparently "the iPhone sounds the death knell for the Internet."
Source: tatoeba (329267)
Knell
/nel/
Synonyms for "knell" (149 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (30)
Strong matches (45)
demisedeparturedeploredingding-a-lingdingdongdingingdingledirgedissolutiondongdongingdoomdyingebb of lifeelegizeelegyendend of lifeending
Show 19 more words
epicediumeternal resteulogyexitexpirationextinctionextinguishmentfinal summonsfinger of deathfuneral marchfuneral orationfuneral ringfuneral songgive sorrow wordsgoinggoing offgonggravegraveside oration
Noun(6 words)
Related words (74)
grievehand of deathjanglejaws of deathjinglejingle-janglejinglejanglejinglingkeenknellinglamentlast debtlast musterlast restlast rounduplast sleepleaving lifeloss of lifemaking an endmoan
Show 46 more words
monodymournpartingpassingpassing awaypassing bellpassing overpealpeal ringingpealingperishingquietusreleaserepinerequiemrestrewardringring changesringingsentence of deathshades of deathshadow of deathsighsing the bluessleepsomatic deathsorrowsoundsound a knellsummons of deaththrenodethrenodytingting-a-lingtingletinglingtinktinkletinklingtinnitustintinnabulatetolltollingweepweep over
Verb(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: annihilation, bane, bell, bemoan, bewail.
- Sentence evidence is available for knell, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "knell".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "knell"
Keep "knell" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "knell" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "knell", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "knell" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
11 entriesMore specific
10 entriesCollocations
10 entriesdeath knellend signalfinal knellfuneral bellfuneral knellfuneral tolllast knellsignal of demisesolemn knelltolling knell
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriesknellingto knell
Sample sentences
16 total sentences available.
Do the dancing maidens sleep, or are they dead? The scent of the flower says that they are corpses. The evening bell tolls their knell.
Source: tatoeba (3753082)
That would sound the death knell for many industrial undertakings.
Source: tatoeba (10621638)
I’ll make thee sick at heart, before I leave thee, And groan, and die indeed, and be worth nothing, Not worth a blessing nor a bell to knell for thee […]
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 16 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "knell"?
Closest matches include annihilation, bane, bell, bemoan, bewail.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "knell"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.