English Reference

Word

peddling

Phoneticsped·dling

US/ˈpɛdəɫɪŋ/

UK/pˈɛdlɪŋ/

Definition

n. the act of selling things or spreading ideas, especially in a way that is annoying or dishonest.

n. the act of selling goods or promoting ideas, often in a persistent or illicit manner. Frequently carries a negative connotation when referring to the dissemination of misinformation or influence.

Examples

“The street peddling of fake watches is common in this area.”

“The politician was accused of influence peddling after accepting expensive gifts from corporate lobbyists.”

“The rapid peddling of conspiracy theories across social media platforms has created a significant challenge for public health officials trying to communicate accurate data.”

Examples

simple

“The street peddling of fake watches is common in this area.”

contextual

“The politician was accused of influence peddling after accepting expensive gifts from corporate lobbyists.”

complex

“The rapid peddling of conspiracy theories across social media platforms has created a significant challenge for public health officials trying to communicate accurate data.”

Usage

Often appears in compound phrases like 'influence peddling' or 'drug peddling'.

Real-World Examples

“To cash in on the idea, the Florida Republican Party also began peddling Alligator Alcatraz–themed merchandise , like T-shirts, hats and beer koozies.”
The Conversation · 11 Aug 2026
“That was not the case with Larry Dean , who has been peddling his brand of crowd-pleasing Glasgow comedy for well over a decade.”
The Guardian · 19 Aug 2026

Word family

peddleVerbpeddlingNoun

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/peddling

English Reference