1
as in level
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement
the greasy spoon restaurant was several rungs below the kind of establishment in which we usually dined
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in baton
Scottish
a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment
the watchman usually carried a stout oak rung
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in chimed
to make the clear sound heard when metal vibrates
I didn't hear the doorbell ring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rung
Doha Madani, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine are the four bases of the genetic code that make up the rungs of the double helix structure of DNA by forming specific pairs (adenine pairs with thymine, guanine with cytosine).
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Residents told the outlet that the fire alarm hadn’t rung to alert them to the flame.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rung
Noun
Coaching licenses typically operate in a tier system, with the bottom rungs allowing people to coach youth soccer.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
Adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine are the four bases of the genetic code that make up the rungs of the double helix structure of DNA by forming specific pairs (adenine pairs with thymine, guanine with cytosine).
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
Some communities have rung the alarm on environmental impacts as well as worries about AI eliminating jobs.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026
Residents told the outlet that the fire alarm hadn’t rung to alert them to the flame.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rung
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rung
Noun
-
Together, the potential departures of two of Kansas City’s most experienced lawmakers — one on his own terms, one forced — could play a role in shaping the city’s future and diminish its ability to secure local priorities at the federal level.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And decibel levels would abide by local noise ordinances, with the facility’s HVAC system making about as much sound as a standard office system, according to the company.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Good morning, Alexei Oreskovic here, taking the baton back from features editor Matt Heimer, who graciously filled in for me these last couple of days.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
San Diego Symphony musicians will perform the opera’s score under the baton of conductor Louis Lohraseb, who is making his company debut.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
London As Big Ben chimed midnight, London celebrated 2026 with fireworks over the River Thames.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Luxemburgo’s view chimed with that of another former Selecao manager, Emerson Leao.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
14 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
At least 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, trained to land in hostile territory to secure key positions and airfields, have been ordered to the Middle East.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Pittsburgh finished 2 for 18 with runners in scoring position and stranded 17.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Rabell was wearing her nightgown, sobbing, shaking and slumped against her cane when Horta picked her up, Horta said.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Our journey culminates in a gathering around the ceremonial South Pole, candy-cane striped and flanked by international flags—the symbolic marker of where all lines of longitude meet (the geographic South Pole is several feet away and must be moved every year due to geology).—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Robb Report,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bells at Westminster Abbey—where his parents had married over two years prior—tolled continuously for three hours in celebration.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Since Eichenberg spent the 2025 season on PUP, his one-year contract signed to return to Miami at the end of his four-year rookie deal tolled into 2026.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ghalibaf came through the ranks of the guard himself and is believed to be among the inner circle of Mojtaba Khamenei, the ayatollah's son and successor.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Sharks rank 12th while the Blues are 13th in the Western Conference.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The bells that dangled off her red tunic jingled.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Netflix and Amazon jingled all the way to some big audiences on Christmas Day, thanks to the NFL.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rung.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rung. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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