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

• champ
• stamp
• stomp
• tramp
• tromp

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

Following an investigation, the board’s general counsel, Julia Montgomery, alleged that Wonderful trampled its workers’ unionization rights through numerous anti-union actions, including coercing them to submit declarations rescinding their authorizations. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2024

The report says the plan would enhance the natural wilderness experience, lessen the need for water supply and reduce grazing pressure and trampling within the preserve area, among other benefits. —Adrian Rodriguez, The Mercury News, 14 May 2024

TikTok has sued the U.S. government, accusing it of trampling on its First Amendment rights when legislation was signed into law forcing its Chinese parent company to sell the social media platform or face a national ban. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 May 2024

Remember the fainting, screaming girls willing to be trampled into the hospital for just one touch of the skinny singing sensation? —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 3 May 2024

Some experts and tech companies praised the bill, saying that the stiffest penalties were reserved for the worst forms of content and would not trample on free speech. —Vjosa Isai, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024

There’s something of a lunar gold rush in progress, and astronomers want to make sure science doesn’t get trampled. —IEEE Spectrum, 8 Apr. 2024

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire took the No. 1 spot for the second week in a row, trampling Monkey Man and fellow newcomer The First Omen beneath its kaiju feet. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2024

Margaret Simons, Honorary Principal Fellow at the Center for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne, said reviews of the industry had repeatedly called for more regulation and repercussions for reporters who trample on journalistic ethics. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, frequentative of trampen to tramp

First Known Use

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

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