trample

verb

tram·​ple ˈtram-pəl 

trampled; trampling ˈtram-p(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: tramp

especially : to tread heavily so as to bruise, crush, or injure

2

: to inflict injury or destruction especially contemptuously or ruthlessly

—usually used with on, over, or upon

trampling on the rights of others

transitive verb

: to crush, injure, or destroy by or as if by treading

trampled the flowers

trample noun

trampler

ˈtram-p(ə-)lər 

noun

Synonyms

• stomp

Examples of trample in a Sentence

The workmen trampled on my flower bed.

Her glasses were trampled underfoot by the crowd.

Many people were trampled to death trying to escape the burning building.

They are trampling on our rights.

They are trampling our rights.

Their most cherished traditions have been trampled.

Recent Examples on the Web

Countries like France, Spain and Japan are able to build plenty of mass transit, at reasonable cost, without trampling over their people. —Vincent Ni, NPR, 20 Sep. 2025

Democrats accused Republicans of trampling on the rules, but Wrasse articulated the rationale that convinced the Senate GOP conference to see the vote as necessary for breaking gridlock while preserving the institution. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025

Speak of democracy, but actually want to trample democracy into the dust? —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Some fell and were trampled in the stampede. —Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, frequentative of trampen to tramp

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for trample

• ample
• sample
• counterexample
• example
• subsample
• hippocampal

Kids Definition

trample

verb

tram·​ple ˈtram-pəl 

trampled; trampling -p(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to tramp or tread heavily so as to bruise, crush, or injure

cattle trampled on the young wheat

b

: to crush, injure, or destroy by or as if by treading

trampled the flowers

2

: to injure or harm by ruthless or heartless treatment

trampling on the right of others

trampler

-p(ə-)lər 

noun