riddled

[rid-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.

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of riddled¹

riddle ² ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

The impasse has raised the possibility that the states could sue each other, a path riddled with uncertainty that water managers in both camps have said they hope to avoid.

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They described his body as "riddled" with bullets in a post on X, calling it a "state crime, perpetrated under the orders of Daniel Noboa."

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Defence barrister Mark Mulholland said Soldier G's statements were "riddled with questions of reliability" and gave "changing accounts" of events on Bloody Sunday.

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Earlier this month more than 85 international scientists claimed it was riddled with errors and misrepresentations and that data had been "cherry-picked" - selectively chosen.

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In a family fallout riddled with mistrust and rancour, the two camps stayed very tight lipped about the possibility of a meeting.

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Related Words

• addled 
• ruined www.thesaurus.com
• withered www.thesaurus.com