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
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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
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Of course, comparing the bottle in question to contemporary releases is a fool’s errand—this was something different entirely.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Breaking down such a layered metaphysical concept with the relatively few words left in this review would be a fool’s errand, but suffice it to say that all of the math miraculously checks out.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The lunatics who attacked the seat of government to try to change the outcome of a free and fair election are not patriots.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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Now, after Miami’s 34-10 win Sunday at the New York Jets, you are officially allowed to wonder aloud about wild-card playoff chances and be seen only as way optimistic rather than as a raving lunatic.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Dec. 2025
Noun
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But those synergies and efforts to goose company revenue were not enough to outpace costs; the company was losing about $500,000 a year.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
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An Ankeny man violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act after killing a goose with his vehicle last year.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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However, unexpected and decidedly unwelcome guests keep turning up, including Beau’s brother, and a man who might be a homicidal maniac.—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Jan. 2026
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Not the fear of an actor out of her element, or the more mundane fear of a victim being chased around by an ax-wielding maniac.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In North Carolina, a juvenile was shot in the leg after a homeowner fired at a vehicle during a late-night ding-dong ditch-style prank, according to police.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
17 Jan. 2026
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Legal experts note people playing ding-dong ditch can also face charges, with offenses ranging from criminal trespass to disorderly conduct.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
13 Jan. 2026
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Overwhelmingly, though, the most common response was to seek confirmation of their suspicions that Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were morons.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The crust, made with flour from Barton Springs Mill in Dripping Springs, is sturdy, a blend of butter, nut and earth with a nice crackle.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
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Non-meat sources of protein such as beans, lentils, peas, tofu, whole grains, nuts and seeds are good additions to everyone’s diet.—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ding-a-ling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ding-a-ling. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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