roughshod

1 of 2

adjective

rough·​shod ˈrəf-ˌshäd 

1

: shod with calked shoes

2

: marked by tyrannical force

roughshod rule

roughshod

2 of 2

adverb

: in a roughly forceful manner

rode roughshod over the opposition

Examples of roughshod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But would even the biggest box-office bump justify such roughshod mistreatment of primary material? —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026

On the second floor, there are still some rustic '70s-style futon mattresses built into roughshod beds. —Chloe Schama, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2025

Adverb

The sense of place and time has been run over roughshod. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024

The Bruins ran roughshod over the NHL this season, but the playoffs mark a different, often more unfair, season. —Jace Evans, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1778, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing roughshod

• ride roughshod
• run roughshod

Rhymes for roughshod

• abroad
• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• slipshod
• tripod

Kids Definition

roughshod

adverb

rough·​shod

ˈrəf-ˈshäd

: with no consideration for the wishes or feelings of others

—usually used in the phrase ride roughshod over or run roughshod over