bulldoze

verb

bull·​doze ˈbu̇l-ˌdōz 

also ˈbəl-

bulldozed; bulldozing; bulldozes

transitive verb

1

: to coerce or restrain by threats : bully

2

: to move, clear, gouge out, or level off by pushing with or as if with a bulldozer

3

: to force insensitively or ruthlessly

intransitive verb

1

: to operate a bulldozer

2

: to force one's way like a bulldozer

Synonyms of bulldoze

• push
• squeeze

Choose the Right Synonym for bulldoze

intimidate, cow, bulldoze, bully, browbeat mean to frighten into submission.

intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

Examples of bulldoze in a Sentence

The crew is bulldozing the trees.

They bulldozed a road through the hills.

The governor bulldozed the law through the legislature.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hence, the litany of defensive mistakes and conceding goals in quick succession — Chelsea leaked two late goals to turn a slender PSG advantage into a daunting one, Manchester City were bulldozed by three Federico Valverde goals in 23 minutes and Spurs were 4-0 down after 23 minutes. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

The developers intend to bulldoze two light industrial buildings that now occupy the site. —George Avalos, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

But their interests in these pursuits ran out, and the military turned the facility over to the university in 2015, rather than bulldoze it. —Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026

The Lancers moved to Division 1 after bulldozing through Division 2, and hired a new coach in Mark Garrity right before the start of the season. —Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from bull entry 1 + alteration of dose

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing bulldoze

• bulldoze one's way

Rhymes for bulldoze

• aloes
• arose
• bedclothes
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compose
• crossbows
• demos
• depose

Kids Definition

bulldoze

verb

bull·​doze ˈbu̇l-ˌdōz 

bulldozed; bulldozing

1

: to move, clear, or level with a bulldozer

2

: to force as if by using a bulldozer

bulldozed their way through the crowd