as in lunatic
a person who lacks good sense or judgment
there's always one ding-dong in the tour group who wanders off and gets lost
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ding-dong
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
That was a fantastically exciting ding-dong 2-2 — with Atletico missing a 99th penalty and eventually being eliminated from the Champions League after the group stage.
—Dermot Corrigan, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Not a very productive interrogation … that is until there’s a ding-dong at the door.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2024
Ditch the classic ding-dong and instead opt for a more holiday-appropriate sound, like a howl, a cackling witch, or other creepy sounds.
—Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024
Up on the quite lush chopping block in season three is, appropriately, sibling No. 3, traveling ding-dong Colin.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 May 2024
The mess-up puts Jamie and Marian in the crosshairs of a local crime organization headed by a soft-spoken brute known only as the Chief (Colman Domingo), who enlists two thuggish ding-dongs to get the suitcase back.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024
Verb
Bomer is good when Jerry the ding-dong must navigate a moment of real sentiment or complication; the juxtaposition is effective.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
That was a fantastically exciting ding-dong 2-2 — with Atletico missing a 99th penalty and eventually being eliminated from the Champions League after the group stage.
—Dermot Corrigan, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Not a very productive interrogation … that is until there’s a ding-dong at the door.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2024
Ditch the classic ding-dong and instead opt for a more holiday-appropriate sound, like a howl, a cackling witch, or other creepy sounds.
—Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024
Up on the quite lush chopping block in season three is, appropriately, sibling No. 3, traveling ding-dong Colin.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 May 2024
The mess-up puts Jamie and Marian in the crosshairs of a local crime organization headed by a soft-spoken brute known only as the Chief (Colman Domingo), who enlists two thuggish ding-dongs to get the suitcase back.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ding-dong
Noun
-
At best, Trantalis and Glassman are being played for fools.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
7 July 2025
-
Not even the streamers could provide a lot of new entertainment for us fools.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
Bertha and George clash over what's best for Gladys.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
Federal immigration agents and protesters clashed during raid at a California cannabis farm.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
The neck of a young Egyptian goose pierced by an arrow.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
17 June 2025
-
Walter Valle brought his goose named Gilbert Ryan Gosling.—
Molly Gibbs,
Sacbee.com,
15 June 2025
Verb
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They’re woven into the tapestry of our front-yard memories—sticky fingers, crooked signs, and mason jars jingling with coins and all, but somewhere along the way, the simple tradition has faded.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
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And that repeating first couplet — which comprises six of the poem’s 18 lines and occupied the first day of this challenge — will surely jingle in your pocket for a long time to come.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
Americans are advised to eat more fruits and vegetables, include a variety of protein sources—seafood, lean meats, poultry, eggs, legumes, soy products, and unsalted nuts/seeds—and opt for protein sources lower in solid fats and calories.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Botanically the fruit is a drupe, not a nut.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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La Cañada resident Trent Sanders, who frequently dings California’s liberal politicos in emails to me and my colleagues, thinks Trump is generally on the right track three months into his term, but with a few caveats.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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Each application requires the card issuer or lender to pull your credit report, which results in a hard inquiry on your report and dings your credit score a few points.—
Dan Avery,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The sound of the water tinkling on the fountain’s bronze statues makes my heart flutter.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
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This was a trial that would surely force many SUVs and pick-ups to tinkle a puddle of oil in fear—a steep volcano climb.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Still, when those characters are a gaggle of 20-somethings being stalked by a hook-wielding and slicker-wearing homicidal maniac, there is surely cause for some cellular activity.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
17 July 2025
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At least his brand of evil maniac is kind of funny and endearing.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ding-dong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ding-dong. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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