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
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Recent Examples of ding-dong
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
In 2020, three 16-year-olds were killed when a man rammed his car into their vehicle in retaliation for pulling a ding-dong-ditch prank on him.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
In California, a 45-year-old man who ran down a group of ding-dong ditch pranksters, killing three teenagers, was sentenced in 2023 to life in prison.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2025
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
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
The spate of ding-dong-ditch killings has led some authorities to urge kids and teens not to do the prank at all.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
In 2020, three 16-year-olds were killed when a man rammed his car into their vehicle in retaliation for pulling a ding-dong-ditch prank on him.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
In California, a 45-year-old man who ran down a group of ding-dong ditch pranksters, killing three teenagers, was sentenced in 2023 to life in prison.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2025
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
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
-
But as Plemons so deftly plays him, Teddy doesn’t seem like a lunatic.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
-
There were these lunatics in the car.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Prices at the auction were gong up and up.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Since medieval times, the colorful fool—from court jesters to Shakespeare’s characters—has used playful wit to critique authority and buffoonery to whip up excitement.—
Time,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Don’t let the record fool you – Timber Creek is a competitive opponent that has faced a rough schedule.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Because of its determination to deliver pay-TV in a different way, however, YouTube has increasingly clashed with traditional media companies, including four prior carriage fights in 2025 alone.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Since clashing with Ellen at Georgetown, Liz has gone through some changes, the biggest of which is conceiving of an entirely new political ideology, simply called The Change.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The gas station and convenience store combo, known for its goose mascot, offers built-to-order hoagies, breakfast items, milkshakes, coffee, soft pretzels, soups, and more.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Tuesday’s clips played on that history, with the person behind the camera catching Carey at various points throughout her day, with the expectation of hearing that Christmastime jingle.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Some say his spurs are still jingling down the hallway, chasing after her.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Sheriff’s deputies quickly caught suspects in several walnut thefts earlier this month, prompting them to ticket and release the suspects, who returned the nuts to the grower, Pedley said.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
To see the three of us sometimes at a game together, three generations of baseball nuts, is very great.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 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
Cite this Entry
“Ding-dong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ding-dong. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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