Standard Lemma guide

unring

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • CMU ARPABET: AH0 N R IH1 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

Hypothetically, to reverse the act of ringing, or the consequences of the action.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • In a criminal trial, if the prosecution brings in inadmissible evidence that would unfairly prejudice the accused, a mistrial may be warranted. Having the judge admonish the jury to disregard the evidence might not be enough, as the saying goes, 'You can't unring the bell.'

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To remove a ring from.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: poetic, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From un- + ring.