Riddled

/ˈɹɪdəld/

Synonyms for "riddled" (25 found)

Ranked by relevance and common usage.

Closest matches (5)

Verb(5 words)

Strong matches (8)

Verb(7 words)

Related words (12)

Noun(1 words)
pepperedshot through
Verb(9 words)

Choosing the right synonym

  • Closest matches in this entry: cratered, defective, error-prone, flawed, fraught with.
  • Sentence evidence is available for riddled, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
  • Ranking signals come from opengloss, derived_reverse.

Synonym selection checklist

  • Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
  • Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
  • Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "riddled".
  • Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.

When not to replace "riddled"

Keep "riddled" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.

If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.

Replacement workflow

1. Preserve meaning

Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "riddled" intact in the sentence you are editing.

2. Tune tone

Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.

3. Re-read context

Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.

Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.

Final fit check

After choosing a replacement for "riddled", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.

If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "riddled" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.

Related word relations

OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.

6 relation types

More general

11 entries
damagedata problemdefectdescriptive adjectivediscourse descriptionfaultfigurative languageidiomatic usageissuesphysical propertysurface condition

More specific

15 entries
armor breachbullet holescratered texturedata inconsistencydata omissionfraught with controversyinfested with questionsladen with allegationsmeasurement errorperforated sheetpocked surfacesampling biassaturated with concernsscarred surfacestatistical flaw

Collocations

12 entries
bullet holesdefectsflawsgunfireholesriddled with controversyriddled with defectsriddled with doubtriddled with errorsriddled with holesriddled with inconsistenciesshrapnel

Inflections

4 entries
more riddledmost riddledriddlesriddling

Derivations

4 entries

similar

2 entries

Sample sentences

15 total sentences available.

Tatoeba + Wiktionary

His voting record is riddled with contradictions.

Source: tatoeba (287372)

Doctor, I'd... like to talk to you about something. I think that my English is riddled with usage problems, and I just don't know what I should do.

Source: tatoeba (559084)

His book is riddled with shoddy research.

Source: tatoeba (1339900)

After the drive-by shooting, the house was riddled with bullet holes.

Source: tatoeba (3862725)

Showing 4 of 15 available sentences.

Common questions

What are the closest synonyms for "riddled"?

Closest matches include cratered, defective, error-prone, flawed, fraught with.

How should I check whether a synonym fits "riddled"?

Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.

More for "riddled"