steamroller

American  

[steem-roh-ler] / ˈstimˌroʊ lər /

noun

1. a heavy steam-powered vehicle having a roller for crushing, compacting, or leveling materials used for a road or the like.

2. (not in technical use) any similar vehicle with a roller.

3. an overpowering force, especially one that crushes all opposition with ruthless disregard for individual rights.

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verb (used with object)

steamrollers, present (3rd person singular) steamrollered, past participle, past steamrollering present participle

1. to crush or flatten with a steamroller.

2. to overcome with superior force.

   to steamroller the competition.

3. to bring about the adoption of by overwhelming pressure.

   to steamroller the resolution through.

verb (used without object)

steamrollers, present (3rd person singular) steamrollered, past participle, past steamrollering present participle

1. to proceed with implacable force.

adjective

1. suggestive of a steamroller; ruthlessly overpowering.

   steamroller tactics.

steamroller British  

/ ˈstiːmˌrəʊlə /

noun

1. 1. a steam-powered vehicle with heavy rollers at the front and rear used for compressing road surfaces during road-making

   2. another word for roadroller

2. 1. an overpowering force or a person with such force that overcomes all opposition

   2. ( as modifier )

      steamroller tactics

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verb

1. (tr) to crush (opposition, etc) by overpowering force

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has steamrollered
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have steamrollered
  perfect
• are steamrollering
  progressive
• is steamrollering
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am steamrollering
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been steamrollering
  perfect progressive
• steamrollers
  singular 3rd person
• has been steamrollering
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• steamrollering
  participle

Past

• had steamrollered
  perfect
• were steamrollering
  progressive plural
• had been steamrollering
  perfect progressive
• was steamrollering
  progressive singular
• steamrollered
  simple
• steamrollered
  participle

Future

• will steamroller
  simple
• will have steamrollered
  perfect
• will be steamrollering
  progressive
• will have been steamrollering
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of steamroller

First recorded in 1865–70; steam + roller ¹

Explanation

One of the large vehicles you might see on a construction site or road crew is a steamroller, which uses a large, heavy cylinder to smooth the surface of a road or other paved area. Be sure to stay out of its way! Many people use the word steamroller to mean "road roller," although strictly speaking that's incorrect, since these modern vehicles aren't powered by a steam engine. A true steamroller had a smokebox and chimney, and the steam it produced enabled it to move forward as it rolled and compressed the surface below. Used figuratively, steamroller means something or someone that moves forward relentlessly, without regard for anyone who happens to be in the way.

Example Sentences

And the Balkan Five have gone from niche college hoops phenomenon to March Madness steamroller.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

"It's been the steamroller all season. That's the one thing you could take to the bank," said Davis.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Samoa and Australia also succumbed to the steamroller.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2025

Awards season steamroller “ Oppenheimer ” is among the nominees for the PGA’s top award to be handed out later Sunday night.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 25, 2024

The small personal satisfaction he felt came from his having passed one of the most grueling tests of his career by showing the courage “to ‘stand up in meeting’ and say ‘No’ to a steamroller.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik