What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fell
Example
He felled the tree with one swift stroke of his axe. [fell: verb]
Example
The boxer was felled by a powerful punch to the jaw. [felled: past tense]
Example
The leaves fell from the trees in autumn. [fell: past tense]
topple
Example
The wind caused the stack of books to topple over. [topple: verb]
Example
The citizens united to topple the corrupt regime. [topple: verb]
Example
The pile of boxes looked like it could topple at any moment. [topple: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Topple is more commonly used than fell in everyday language. Topple is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fell is less common and refers to a specific action of cutting down or knocking down.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fell and topple?
Both fell and topple are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
