peddle

verb

ped·​dle ˈpe-dᵊl 

peddled; peddling ˈped-liŋ 

ˈpe-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to travel about with wares for sale

broadly : sell

peddling without a license

2

: to be busy with trifles : piddle

transitive verb

1

: to sell or offer for sale from place to place : hawk

broadly : sell

They peddled fruits and vegetables from a truck on the side of the road.

2

: to deal out or seek to disseminate

… peddling personal advice.

—G. F. Kennan

3

: to offer or promote as valuable

peddled snake oils and miracle lotions

Synonyms of peddle

• hawk
• distribute
• wholesale

Examples of peddle in a Sentence

They peddled fruits and vegetables out of their truck on the side of the road.

He peddled his idea for a new movie to every executive in Hollywood.

The mayor's aides tried to peddle his innocence to reporters.

Recent Examples on the Web

This is one truth that never has aligned with the lies peddled by those who hope to turn children’s sports into a battleground. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

For now, this fuzzy discontent has led to a relatively soft populism, peddled by candidates who are promising universal health care and the cancellation of debt, for instance. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026

With no cash and literally starving, Javier starts peddling drugs and animals from his clinic. — John Hopewell, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026

Online influencers peddle supplements, recommend raw garlic, suggest testicle ice baths or promote drastic lifestyle changes. — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from peddler, from Middle English pedlere, alteration of pedder peddler

First Known Use

1532, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing peddle

• peddle one's wares

Rhymes for peddle

• bedell
• heddle
• medal
• meddle
• pedal
• wedel
• bipedal
• intermeddle

Kids Definition

peddle

verb

ped·​dle ˈped-ᵊl 

peddled; peddling -liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to travel about especially from house to house with goods for sale

2

: to sell from place to place usually in small quantities

3

: to present (something) in a manner that is intended to convince others of its value

peddled her opinion to her friends

peddler noun

also pedlar

ˈped-lər