Steamroller - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A steamroller is a heavy vehicle with a large roller used to flatten surfaces like roads during construction. It can also mean to overpower or crush something forcefully, like an idea or opposition.
Definition:
A heavy vehicle used to flatten surfaces, or to dominate or overwhelm forcefully.
Synonyms:
bulldozer, crusher, dominator, overpowering force
Part of Speech:
noun, verb
Antonyms:
underdog, lightweight
Common Collocations:
steamroller operator, steamroller flattening, steamroller tactics, political steamroller
Derivatives:
steamrolling, steamrollered
Usage Tips:
Use "steamroller" as a noun for the machine or metaphorically for overwhelming force; as a verb, it means to crush or dominate something.
Common Phrases:
steamroller approach, like a steamroller, political steamroller
Etymology:
Derived from "steam" (power source) + "roller" (flattening device), first used in the 19th century for road construction machines.
Examples:
- 1. The workers used a steamroller to pave the new road smoothly.
- 2. Her aggressive negotiation style was like a steamroller—no one could oppose her.
- 3. The team steamrollered their opponents in the championship game with ease.
- 4. He felt like a steamroller had crushed his dreams after the rejection letter arrived.