riddled

American  

[rid-ld] / ˈrɪd ld /

adjective

1. filled with, and often thoroughly weakened by, something undesirable (used in combination).

   For decades taxpayers subsidized this fault-riddled nuclear plant, with its defective reactors and substandard construction.

2. pierced in many places (usually used in combination).

   His bullet-riddled body was found two days later.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of riddle.

Etymology

Origin of riddled

riddle ² ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

If an object is riddled with something, that means it's covered by that thing: for example, a tree trunk might be riddled with tiny holes made by the beaks of woodpeckers. The adjective riddled most often describes something damaged by or spread full of holes, like a rusty old mailbox riddled with bullet holes or a block of Swiss cheese riddled with holes. You can also use it figuratively: "It's so sad, her dog is riddled with cancer," or "The plot of your novel is riddled with holes — it just doesn't hold up." Riddled comes from the Old English hriddel, "sieve."

Example Sentences

Until recently, the remains of the buildings on the base were riddled with asbestos and fuel barrels leaked jet fuel into the surrounding waterways.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

“We were presented with a draft complaint riddled with clear errors of fact and law,” Glaser said in a statement last week.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

Though there are many constitutional issues that courts can grant relief on—and both Wood and Burton’s cases are riddled with them—clemency is the only possible mechanism to correct the particular injustice of disproportionate death sentences.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

That it may be riddled with falsehoods is beside the point.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

The night, the darkness outside, the apart-ment riddled with lamplight shadows seemed more menacing.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

Related Words

• addled
• ruined
• withered