riddled: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral; common in both written and spoken language, especially in analytical, journalistic, and critical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “riddled” mean?
Perforated or damaged with many holes, or figuratively, thoroughly pervaded by something, typically undesirable.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Perforated or damaged with many holes, or figuratively, thoroughly pervaded by something, typically undesirable.
Describes an object full of holes (like a sieve) or, more commonly, a situation, system, or entity that is thoroughly infused or impaired with numerous instances of something negative (e.g., problems, errors, contradictions).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British media and political commentary, but widely used in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “riddled” in a Sentence
be ADJ with NPNP be ADJ with NPVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “riddled” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old barn door was riddled by shotgun pellets.
- The critic riddled the proposal with objections.
American English
- The target was riddled with bullets after the exercise.
- Her testimony was riddled by inconsistencies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to criticise reports, systems, or plans: 'The financial audit was riddled with inconsistencies.'
Academic
Used in critiques of theories or data: 'His argument is riddled with logical fallacies.'
Everyday
Used for objects or health: 'The old shed was riddled with woodworm.' 'He's riddled with anxiety.'
Technical
Used in medicine (e.g., 'riddled with metastases/cancer'), computing ('code riddled with bugs'), or materials science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “riddled”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “riddled”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “riddled”
- Using 'riddled' with positive nouns (*riddled with opportunities).
- Confusing 'riddled' (adj.) with 'riddle' (n. = puzzle).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Virtually never in standard usage. It carries a strong negative connotation of impairment or infestation.
'Riddled with' is more critical and vivid, suggesting the negative elements are pervasive and damaging, like holes. 'Full of' is neutral.
It is neutral but quite forceful. It is appropriate in formal writing (e.g., academic criticism, journalism) as well as informal speech.
It is an adjective (a participial adjective). The verb form ('to riddle' meaning to perforate) is much less common.
Perforated or damaged with many holes, or figuratively, thoroughly pervaded by something, typically undesirable.
Riddled: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪdld/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪdəld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “riddled with bullets”
- “riddled to the core”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a RIDDLE (puzzle) that is so full of holes, it's impossible to solve. RIDDLED = full of holes/problems.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEGATIVE QUALITIES ARE PHYSICAL DAMAGE (holes, parasites).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'riddled' used CORRECTLY?