Knell

A knell is the sound of a bell, often rung slowly and solemnly, typically to announce a death, a funeral, or the end of something. It can also be used figuratively to describe a sound or event that signals an ending, the decline of something, or a warning of impending disaster. The sound itself evokes a sense of somberness, loss, and finality, carrying a weight of significance. The tempo, the timbre, and the circumstances of the bell's ringing all contribute to the overall impact and meaning attributed to the knell.

Knell meaning with examples

• The distant knell of the church bell tolled through the silent valley, announcing the passing of the town's oldest resident. The mournful sound echoed, each ring a reminder of life's fleeting nature, adding to the heavy atmosphere of loss felt throughout the community. The solemnity of the occasion was undeniable.
• The politician's corrupt actions sounded the knell of his once-promising career. The scandal's revelations led to public outrage and shattered his reputation, effectively ending his political aspirations. The resounding collapse signified a dramatic fall from grace, marked by his previous integrity's destruction.
• The environmental report delivered the knell of the coral reefs; a drastic decline was observed. Increased pollution and warming ocean temperatures promised almost certain destruction. It was a stark warning of the imminent and possibly total destruction of a unique ecosystem.
• The captain heard the ship's bell's mournful knell as the iceberg loomed ahead. The slow, heavy tone of the knell signified the imminence of disaster and, indeed, the eventual fate of their vessel, a portentous warning of disaster.
• As the old factory closed its doors, the final shift's bell provided a grim knell to hundreds of people. The ringing announced job losses and hardship for many workers. It symbolized the downfall of an institution, once a source of pride and employment, now a ghost.