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steamroller

[steem-roh-ler]
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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)
  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.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to proceed with implacable force.
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adjective
  1. suggestive of a steamroller; ruthlessly overpowering: steamroller tactics.
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Origin of steamroller

First recorded in 1865–70; steam + roller1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for steamroller

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • It was like getting a steamroller in motion to start Hickman.

    Pitching in a Pinch

    Christy Mathewson

British Dictionary definitions for steamroller

steamroller

steam roller

noun
    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
    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
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012