death knell

American  

noun

1. a harbinger of the end, death, or destruction of something.

2. passing bell.

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death knell British  

noun

1. something that heralds death or destruction

2. a bell rung to announce a death

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death knell Idioms  

1. Something that indicates impending failure, as in His low scores sounded the death knell for his ambitions. The noun knell, used for the ringing of a bell since at least a.d. 1000, is rarely heard today except in this figurative phrase.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

death knell

It is a death knell for a long-held belief among media executives that putting content and the “pipes” that delivered it under one roof would create riches for all.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

Is this the death knell of American political satire?

From Salon ● May 19, 2026

People on the internet seem to be taking Lindy West’s memoir as millennial feminism’s final death knell.

From Slate ● Mar. 31, 2026

Now, many are wondering: Is the death knell finally tolling for the Cuban Revolution?

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 16, 2026

They had rung the bells when King Robert died, she remembered, but this was different, no slow dolorous death knell but a joyful thunder.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin