Standard Lemma guide

riddled

adj · verb · 6 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.

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Pronunciation

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  • /ˈɹɪdəld/
  • CMU ARPABET: R IH1 D AH0 L D Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Damaged throughout by holes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: also, figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Having (something) spread throughout, as if by an infestation.

Taking a noun complement construed with the preposition with.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The minister claimed that the old benefits system was riddled with abuse and fraud.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lousy

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Having (something) spread throughout, as if by an infestation.

Taking a noun complement that precedes the adjective, forming a compound.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • a hole-riddled sweater

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: -ridden

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

simple past and past participle of riddle

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, participle, past

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adjective satellite

Meaning 5

(often followed by `with') damaged throughout by numerous perforations or holes

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a sweater riddled with moth holes
  • cliffs riddled with caves
  • the bullet-riddled target

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

adjective satellite

Meaning 6

spread throughout

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • cities riddled with corruption

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.