Synonyms

peddling

American

[ped-ling] / ˈpɛd lɪŋ /

adjective

trifling; paltry; piddling.

Other Word Forms

peddlingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of peddling

First recorded in 1590–1600; peddle + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While it’s true, as EduBirdie told Salon, that many of the online influencers peddling the “tradwife” life are actually paid professionals who make money off creating content, this hypocrisy doesn’t exonerate them.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

Even if X's demonetization policy were strictly enforced, a vast number of X users peddling AI content are not part of the revenue sharing program, researchers say.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

For a growing number of online sleuths, there is a booming business in peddling outlandish answers to those and other sordid questions raised by the trove of newly released files.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

“I am shocked that we’re going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee today,” she said.

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2026

Afros today are rare, dashikis even rarer; Black Panther founder Bobby Seale is best known today for peddling a line of barbecue products.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023