roughshod

1 of 2

adjective

rough·​shod ˈrəf-ˌshäd How to pronounce roughshod (audio)
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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Toshiro Mifune and six other badass rōnin square off against bandits who’ve been riding roughshod humble villagers in Akira Kurosawa’s epic 1954 action tale set in feudal Japan. Matt Cooperlistings Coordinator, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022 And while Craig’s time with the character has seen villains with wildly unbelievable plans for global domination, the action scenes have been physical, roughshod, and intimate. Eric Adams, Popular Mechanics, 8 Oct. 2021 As vice president Pence has worked to level Trump's roughshod style and steer his response to the coronavirus pandemic. Michelle L. Price, Star Tribune, 6 Oct. 2020 Originally a competitor to the roughshod Jeep CJ, the Ford Bronco spat mud for three decades from 1966 to 1996, when the infamous O.J. Simpson chase hastened its end. Tom Krisher, chicagotribune.com, 15 Mar. 2018
Adverb
Lula narrowly defeated Joir Bolsonaro, who let the loggers and farmers run roughshod over the country’s vast rainforests and the home to the Indians. Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2023 Williams ran roughshod on Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley’s defense in the first half on Oct. 15, passing for 229 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Dec. 2022 The Frisco Roughriders ran roughshod to their first Texas League title in 18 years Tuesday with a come-from-behind 7-5 10-inning win over Wichita. Dallas News, 27 Sep. 2022 The Celtics have run roughshod over the rest of the league. Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Dec. 2022 After Johnny Football ran roughshod through Bryant-Denny, the Tide fell to No. 4, squarely out of contention. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 18 Nov. 2022 Their theories ran roughshod over one of the architects of economic policies since the Great Depression, John Maynard Keynes. Brian Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Nov. 2022 Their theories ran roughshod over one of the architects of economic policies since the Great Depression, John Maynard Keynes. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2022 Saban added some key pieces from the transfer portal and looked ready to run roughshod across college football. John Talty | Jtalty@al.com, al, 6 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'roughshod.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of roughshod was circa 1688

Dictionary Entries Near roughshod

Cite this Entry

“Roughshod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roughshod. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

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

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