1
as in gangs
a group involved in secret or criminal activities
a ring of counterfeiters passing phony $20 bills
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in circles
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
a gaming ring that meets once a week to play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in calls
a communication by telephone
give me a ring when you're ready to go
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in surrounds
to form a circle around
tall cypress trees ringing the park
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in orbits
to travel completely around
the line of season ticket buyers ringed the block
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in chimes
to make the clear sound heard when metal vibrates
I didn't hear the doorbell ring
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 rings
Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Leaving the liner hanging on the shower rod and curtain rings, spray the solution generously all over the shower curtain liner.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Earlier in the day, my phone rings.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
The recovered birds were taken to a secure loft near Brussels, overseen by Belgium's national pigeon federation, and police arranged for DNA testing to match each bird to its rightful owner since the identification rings on all the pigeon's legs had been snipped off.
—Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
The rings were stackable, but Hepburn would also wear them interchangeably.
—Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
Good cops in this business tend to have more friends but fewer rings.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Pierre quickly regains his feet but the teens continue to pummel him until gunfire rings out.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
In addition to this, Rapinchuk says to keep bottles off the floor to prevent rust rings and to run the bathroom fan or open a window to reduce humidity.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Norah feels celebrated and strengthened by its community, an ethos that rings true when Claire speaks about those around her.
—Julie Lin, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2026
To honor the occasion, David Rockecharlie, Chief Executive Officer, joined by Chris Taylor, NYSE Vice President and Head of Listings and Services, rings The Opening Bell®.
—Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
Both funny and deeply powerful, The Big Sick shows the reality of romance with a heartfelt love story that rings true.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
However, when considering the Chinese Communist Party’s national-level Military-Civil Fusion strategy, this restriction rings hollow.
—Jim Costa, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Leeds fans will have seen this dozens of times over the years, when a manager rings the changes in the cup and the resulting performance is off-colour.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
And yet the story rings a little false.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Payton’s perception of him then rings true in the present.
—Trevor Woods, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
After a few short rings, a bubbly introduction greeted me.
—Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Leaving the liner hanging on the shower rod and curtain rings, spray the solution generously all over the shower curtain liner.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026
Earlier in the day, my phone rings.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
The recovered birds were taken to a secure loft near Brussels, overseen by Belgium's national pigeon federation, and police arranged for DNA testing to match each bird to its rightful owner since the identification rings on all the pigeon's legs had been snipped off.
—Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
The rings were stackable, but Hepburn would also wear them interchangeably.
—Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
Good cops in this business tend to have more friends but fewer rings.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Pierre quickly regains his feet but the teens continue to pummel him until gunfire rings out.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
In addition to this, Rapinchuk says to keep bottles off the floor to prevent rust rings and to run the bathroom fan or open a window to reduce humidity.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
The question was about coaching in general, but certainly rings true in the Heat’s case.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Norah feels celebrated and strengthened by its community, an ethos that rings true when Claire speaks about those around her.
—Julie Lin, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2026
To honor the occasion, David Rockecharlie, Chief Executive Officer, joined by Chris Taylor, NYSE Vice President and Head of Listings and Services, rings The Opening Bell®.
—Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
Both funny and deeply powerful, The Big Sick shows the reality of romance with a heartfelt love story that rings true.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
However, when considering the Chinese Communist Party’s national-level Military-Civil Fusion strategy, this restriction rings hollow.
—Jim Costa, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Leeds fans will have seen this dozens of times over the years, when a manager rings the changes in the cup and the resulting performance is off-colour.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
And yet the story rings a little false.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Payton’s perception of him then rings true in the present.
—Trevor Woods, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rings. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
