View synonyms for riddle

riddle

[ rid-l ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a question or statement so framed as to exercise one's ingenuity in answering it or discovering its meaning; conundrum.
a puzzling question, problem, or matter.
a puzzling thing or person.
any enigmatic or dark saying or speech.

verb (used without object)

riddled, riddling.

to propound riddles; speak enigmatically.

riddle

[ rid-l ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

riddled, riddling.

to pierce with many holes, suggesting those of a sieve:
to riddle the target.
to fill or affect with (something undesirable, weakening, etc.):
a government riddled with graft.
to impair or refute completely by persistent verbal attacks:
to riddle a person's reputation.
to sift through a riddle, as gravel; screen.

noun

a coarse sieve, as one for sifting sand in a foundry.

riddle

/ ˈrɪdəl /

noun

a question, puzzle, or verse so phrased that ingenuity is required for elucidation of the answer or meaning; conundrum
a person or thing that puzzles, perplexes, or confuses; enigma

verb

to solve, explain, or interpret (a riddle or riddles)
intr to speak in riddles

riddle

/ ˈrɪdəl /

verb

usually foll by with to pierce or perforate with numerous holes
riddled with bullets
to damage or impair
to put through a sieve; sift
to fill or pervade
the report was riddled with errors

noun

a sieve, esp a coarse one used for sand, grain, etc

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Derived Forms

ˈriddler, noun
ˈriddler, noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of riddle¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English noun redel, redels, Old English rǣdels(e) “counsel, opinion, imagination, riddle” + -els(e) noun suffix; cognate with German Rätsel, Dutch raadsel; rede

Origin of riddle²

First recorded before 1100; Middle English noun riddil, Old English hriddel, variant of hridder, hrīder; cognate with German Reiter; akin to Latin crībrum “sieve”; verb derivative of the noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of riddle¹

Old English rǣdelle, rǣdelse , from rǣd counsel; related to Old Saxon rādislo , German Rätsel

Origin of riddle²

Old English hriddel a sieve, variant of hridder ; related to Latin crībrum sieve

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Synonym Study

See puzzle.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“It’s a failed pool project riddled with inconsistencies, riddled with questionable acts and questions of legality and incompetence.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is only then, once you are still, that a now low, whipping wind, riddled with sand begins pricking and abrading your skin and collecting in the pages of your novel; it is intolerable.

From Salon

He’s a man riddled with contradicting views and tones, as is “The Shrouds.”

From Salon

Reaves has done that — even embracing his part in the meeting with Redick, James and Doncic when the Lakers’ coach leaned on his stars to solve the biggest remaining riddle for the team.

From Los Angeles Times

The 10% universal tariff is now riddled with exemptions, and the biggest carve outs are for many nations with massive trade surpluses from electronics manufacturing.

From BBC

Related Words

ridden riddled

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