RIDDLING Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

riddling

verb

Definition of riddling

present participle of riddle

as in drilling

to make a hole or series of holes in several signs along the highway were riddled by buckshot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in penetrating

to spread throughout the newspaper exposé revealed a gaming commission that is riddled with corruption

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of riddling After riddling the vehicle with bullets and receiving backup from the 400 Mawozo gang, the gunmen set the vehicle on fire with an explosive device, several sources told the Herald. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 But asteroids and comets have also bombarded Mercury, riddling it with impact craters, much like the pockmarked surface of Earth’s moon. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for riddling

Verb

As this year's higher crude oil prices made drilling more lucrative, the associated volumes of gas coming to market have also risen, regardless of the commodity's price or demand.

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
The former Duke star was 5 for 8 from the three-point line, drilling a couple from Steph Curry range.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of drilling

Verb

Radar love Each low-flying helicopter is outfitted with a ground penetrating radar (GPR) instrument, one that can detect layering in the near surface, at depths unobservable by orbital radar.

— Leonard David, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Lyubka’s compelling storytelling technique is detailed, lyrical, at times, humorous, and therefore deeply penetrating.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of penetrating

Verb

No wonder some of the film’s most piercing moments are on the periphery.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
But there’s no icy chill to his vision, only the glib confidence that a feel-good montage or a piercing Anohni and the Johnsons ballad will blind us to his film’s lack of human connection.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of piercing

Verb

The threat of shattered glass if the bottle breaks, the subsequent odor suffusing all the items in your carryon, liquids seeping dangerously close to electronics—none of it sounds like a good idea.

— Chloe Schama, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
But Pete took the idea one step further, taking the organization’s iconic symbol — the star — and suffusing it with a deeper meaning.

— Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of suffusing

Verb

Then left tackle Alaric Jackson was suspended by the NFL for punching a Bills player on the field after the game.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
When substitute Gleiker Mendoza sealed the win with a superb shot into the top corner, Turan ran up the touchline, punching the air in delight.

— Simon Johnson, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of punching

Verb

In fact, Fielder says, Blaine was literally stabbing his hand, puncturing his own flesh to create the illusion of an illusion.

— Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
Executioners spent more than two hours trying to find a vein, possibly puncturing his bladder before giving up.

— Keri Blakinger, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of puncturing

Verb

My physical study, on the floor, poking at what was there in the open field of the air, led to newfound levels of learning to process, in poems on the page, where my initial feelings of hunger came from.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
In a recent interview with OutKick Dropkick, Hefner was already poking the bear in hopes of getting eyes on his event.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026