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
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-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
-
From the fans’ perspective, the Yankees are faltering, the Rays are in the tank, the Orioles are tanking, and many view the Blue Jays’ recent run as fool’s gold.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Predicting where Liverpool’s wider finances will go in the future is a fool’s errand, not least those elements linked to on-field performance.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Verb
-
The rivalry puts a spotlight on two states that for years have dueled over jobs, innovation, prestige — even sports — with the backdrop of clashing political visions — one progressive, one conservative.—
Michael R. Blood,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The drama stars Norton as Harold, Earl of Wessex, opposite Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy, two men destined to clash at the Battle of Hastings.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This giant white goose plush is designed for comfort and fun.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
One member of the goose family had been left behind: a single egg.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Dogs showing signs of separation anxiety may benefit from gradual desensitization to being alone and learning to dissociate cues like jingling keys from being left alone.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
-
Some hikers wear small bells that jingle while walking, signaling their presence to animals.—
Ruffin Prevost,
AFAR Media,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Botanically the fruit is a drupe, not a nut.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
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
-
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 herds are decked out in crowns of flowers, and the air will be noisy, full of tinkling bells as the cattle trudge down from the higher Alpine pastures to the lower stretches of greenery in and around this town.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Just sit back and drink your coffee to the tune of tinkling cowbells across the valley.—
John Oseid,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
Imagine if zombies were just humans who their intellect, but are also homicidal maniacs.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
-
It’s staffed by robots hosting, indifferently, a fantastic maniac of a dog named … 2.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ding-dong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ding-dong. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share