View synonyms for steamroller

steamroller

[ steem-roh-ler ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.

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.

steamroller

/ ˈstiːmˌrəʊlə /

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

First recorded in 1865–70; steam + roller ¹

The Donald Trump steamroller got run off the road last week, and getting back on track may not be easy.

His hard lines and angles project the arrogance of a confidence man, or as Arlyn Imberman puts it, “a steamroller.”

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

Well, nobody can catch a sixty-horsepower motor-car with a ten-ton steamroller.

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