as in fool
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
some ding-a-ling set off the fire alarm by burning paper in a wastebasket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ding-a-ling
Why portray Dorothy as a doe-eyed ding-a-ling; as not just naive but dumb?
—
Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ding-a-ling
Noun
-
Here are three fool-proof tips to stay ahead of the curve during the volatility to come.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2026
-
The Quince Revive Nylon Crescent Shoulder Bag is just $32, but don’t let its affordable price fool you.—
Destinee Scott,
Travel + Leisure,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Mark Hamill has been a lunatic for years now.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
To get a sentence like that in a communist, radically left-wing city of liberal lunatics is truly amazing.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Atvara, who spent years working in teaching, journalism, and marketing before returning to her first love, puts her classical training to good use, particularly during a goose-bump-inducing climax in which her voice swoops and soars like a haunted songbird.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
-
Their first album in four years, Dancing on the Wall, reflects a group that's been famous long enough to know what a golden goose’s underbelly looks like.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
This is the same show that features Mad Dog Russo screaming like a maniac into the camera every week, right?—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
This maniac should be removed from office.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hopefully, now this kid can stop being a moody ass little ding-dong about it.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
8 May 2026
-
While moist’s related meanings certainly might drive our dislike, Max Müller’s ding-dong theory, known now as sound symbolism, provides an alternative, suggesting it instead (or also) might have something to do with the specific sounds that are in the word.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lluís then calls Puig Antich a moron.—
Colm Tóibín,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2026
-
This drunk moron — quite different from his character in the novel — bears a ton of blame.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This year forecasts for nuts and other food are better, but as the animals have emerged from winter hibernation there have also been record numbers of sightings, according to local media.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds can all help support a strong, healthy immune system.—
Mykenna Maniece,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ding-a-ling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ding-a-ling. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
