ding-a-ling

noun

ˈdiŋ-ə-ˌliŋ How to pronounce ding-a-ling (audio)
Definition of ding-a-lingnext
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

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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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ding-a-ling
  1. fool
  2. lunatic
  3. goose
  4. maniac
  5. ding-dong
  6. moron
  7. nut
Noun
  • But Thomas and Erika are no fools, coolly telling off smiling Hitler sympathizers during a tony reception.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Atlanta Dream might now be the hottest ticket in town and State Farm Arena would be fools not to host them in Game 6.
    — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fool
Noun
  • The show will serve as a platform for countless lunatics within the InfoWars universe and a platform for larger announcements about the company’s fictional exploits.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Rabin was killed [in 1995], that was a last straw —seeing an extremist right-wing lunatic in Israel kill Rabin and kill the dreams of peace.
    — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of lunatic
Noun
  • In short, the encyclopedia is being destroyed by its biggest beneficiaries, like a golden goose slaughtered for slop-pâté.
    — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Ternus’ interaction with IShowSpeed is clearly designed to capture this (and, of course, to goose preorder numbers among the influencer’s young and massive audience).
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of goose
Noun
  • David extended a hand toward me (imaginary attacks by slow, handshake-wielding maniacs are a martial arts class staple).
    — Johanna Stein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Unbeknownst to the visitors, there’s an unhappy fifth party already in the house… and more than one homicidal maniac even within that small populace.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 28 July 2026
Definition of maniac
Noun
  • This guy might steal because the pitcher is such a ding-dong at getting the ball to the plate, for example.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Hopefully, now this kid can stop being a moody ass little ding-dong about it.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 8 May 2026
Definition of ding-dong
Noun
  • The fact that there is someone out there who could actually get all the real unsuspecting morons who participated in this movie to sign off on it afterwards is simply astonishing considering what they are asked to do in it.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The unlikely source is Enervate’s company stooge corporate strategist, Ken Davies (Tim Key), a moron by any measure.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of moron
Noun
  • In the mid-1990s, Bob Bartel, a Chicago native and sometime private detective and full-time Beatles nut, heard Louise speak at a fan convention about George’s vacation in Benton.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, look for more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
    — Laura Bradley, HEALTH, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of nut

Browse Nearby Words

ding
ding-a-ling
ding-a-lings
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Cite this Entry

“Ding-a-ling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ding-a-ling. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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