DictionaryriddleFilling throughout
verb

riddle

To fill something with many holes, flaws, or unwanted things.

Tiny holes riddle the old metal panel.

Etymology

The sieve noun supplied a verb for making something full of sieve-like holes. It then extended to filling something with numerous defects or unwanted elements.

More examples

  • The report was riddled with errors.
  • Insects riddled the leaves.
  • Doubts riddled her otherwise confident account.

Forms

riddle · riddles · riddled · riddling

Similar words

perforate
Specifically make holes, without the wider flaw-related meaning.
permeate
Spread throughout without necessarily causing holes or defects.