roughshod

1 of 2

adjective

rough·​shod ˈrəf-ˌshäd How to pronounce roughshod (audio)
Synonyms of roughshodnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The Spurs are playing a different sport right now, a roughshod edition of basketball full of vitriol, precision and destruction. Jared Weiss, New York Times, 23 May 2026 But would even the biggest box-office bump justify such roughshod mistreatment of primary material? Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
Adverb
Even Israel’s antagonist Turkey is not happy with Hezbollah’s running roughshod over Lebanon. Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Texas Tech ran roughshod over the league last season, winning the title and securing an automatic bid to the CFP in 2025. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for roughshod

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Roughshod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roughshod. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on roughshod

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster