peddle

verb

ped·​dle ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce peddle (audio)
peddled; peddling ˈped-liŋ How to pronounce peddle (audio)
ˈpe-dᵊl-iŋ
Synonyms of peddle

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

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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
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.
Named after Blythe Street — a short thoroughfare flanked by overcrowded apartments — the crew had robbed, stole, peddled drugs and shot up rivals since the 1980s, seemingly untroubled by the city of Los Angeles’ attempts to defeat it. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 When the Followers began, healthcare on the Western frontier was primitive, unsanitary and riddled with con artists peddling fake cures. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 Their lawsuit against Jones and the 2022 verdict marked the first time he was held financially liable for peddling lies about the massacre, claiming it was faked by the government to tighten gun laws. — Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for peddle

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of peddle was in 1532

Phrases Containing peddle

Rhymes for peddle

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Browse Nearby Words

pedder
peddle
peddle one's wares
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Peddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peddle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

peddle

verb
ped·​dle ˈped-ᵊl How to pronounce peddle (audio)
peddled; peddling -liŋ How to pronounce peddle (audio)
-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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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