ring hollow
idiom
: to seem untruthful or insincere
Their promises ring hollow.
His apology rang hollow.
Examples of ring hollow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The government’s offers of dialogue with the protesters ring hollow as it is meant as a pressure valve internationally—for credulous Westerners who believe Iran’s political system is capable of reform—and domestically.
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Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
That special was a commercial endeavor itself, but its message didn’t always ring hollow.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
But these ostensibly playful metaphors can ring hollow, or go rancid quite quickly.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2025
But Moore’s defenses of the passing game are starting to ring hollow as the Wolverines and their five-star quarterback continue to muddle through mistakes and missed opportunities.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ring hollow
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Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
That special was a commercial endeavor itself, but its message didn’t always ring hollow.
—Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
But these ostensibly playful metaphors can ring hollow, or go rancid quite quickly.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2025
But Moore’s defenses of the passing game are starting to ring hollow as the Wolverines and their five-star quarterback continue to muddle through mistakes and missed opportunities.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ring hollow
Cite this Entry
“Ring hollow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ring%20hollow. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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