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. )

Example Sentences

"We need to be frank about how today's Hong Kong is riddled with holes, inside and out."

From Barron's

Beal’s two seasons in Phoenix were riddled by injury as well.

From Los Angeles Times

The models used by the rating agencies were riddled with these sorts of opportunities.

From Literature

But it’s even more fun when you’re not riddled with guilt.

From MarketWatch

At age 25, Birutė Galdikas, the Canadian anthropologist, was wading through swamps riddled with parasites and leeches trying to catch a glimpse of orangutans, or, as she describes them, “survivors of Eden.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• addled
• ruined
• withered