steamroller

[steem-roh-ler]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR steamroller ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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

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

verb (used with object)

to crush or flatten with a steamroller.

to overcome with superior force: to steamroller the competition.

to bring about the adoption of by overwhelming pressure: to steamroller the resolution through.

verb (used without object)

to proceed with implacable force.

adjective

suggestive of a steamroller; ruthlessly overpowering: steamroller tactics.

Origin of steamroller

First recorded in 1865–70; steam + roller¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for steamroller

overpower, overwhelm, force, defeat

Examples from the Web for steamroller

Contemporary Examples of steamroller

The Donald Trump steamroller got run off the road last week, and getting back on track may not be easy.
The Trump Backlash Begins
Howard Kurtz
May 6, 2011
His hard lines and angles project the arrogance of a confidence man, or as Arlyn Imberman puts it, “a steamroller.”
Bernie's John Hancock
Allan Dodds Frank
March 25, 2009

Historical Examples of steamroller

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

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

an overpowering force or a person with such force that overcomes all opposition
(as modifier)steamroller tactics

verb

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

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