peddle

[ped-l]

verb (used with object)

peddled, peddling 

1. to carry (small articles, goods, wares, etc.) from place to place for sale at retail; hawk.

2. to deal out, distribute, or dispense, especially in small quantities.

   to peddle radical ideas.

3. to sell (drugs) illicitly.

verb (used without object)

peddled, peddling 

1. to go from place to place with goods, wares, etc., for sale at retail.

2. to occupy oneself with trifles; trifle.

peddle

/ ˈpɛdəl /

verb

1. to go from place to place selling (goods, esp small articles)

2. (tr) to sell (illegal drugs, esp narcotics)

3. (tr) to advocate (ideas) persistently or importunately

   to peddle a new philosophy

4. archaic,  (intr) to trifle

Other Word Forms

• repeddle verb (used with object)
• unpeddled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peddle¹

First recorded in 1525–35; apparently back formation from peddler; peddle in def. 5, reinforced by piddle

Word History and Origins

Origin of peddle¹

C16: back formation from _pedlar

Example Sentences

The growing allure of watches with A-list history was enticing people to peddle dubious timepieces.

From Los Angeles Times

But there was a time when their importance, along with the activists who peddled their ideas, rivaled those of politicians themselves.

From Salon

It also came under attack from commentators who bemoaned its lack of diversity and claimed it peddled middle-class values.

From BBC

“Dangerous rhetoric that ICE agents are ‘kidnapping’ illegal immigrants is being recklessly peddled by politicians and echoed in the media to inflame the public and discredit our courageous federal agents,” U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

In an interview with The Times, Garcia said he has long viewed Kennedy as a dangerous “conspiracy theorist” who has “peddled in all sorts of lies” about HIV, vaccines and other medical science.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hawk 
• solicit