steam·roll·er
ˈstēm-ˌrō-lər 
1
: a steam-driven road roller
broadly
: road roller
2
: a crushing force especially when ruthlessly applied to overcome opposition
steam·roll·er
ˈstēm-ˌrō-lər
variants
or steamroll
steamrollered or steamrolled; steamrollering or steamrolling; steamrollers or steamrolls
1
: to overwhelm usually by greatly superior force
steamroller the opposition
2
: to bring or advance by overwhelming force or pressure
steamrollered the bill through the legislature
: to move or proceed with irresistible force
Examples of steamroller in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Hunt is still questionable Panthers offensive guard Robert Hunt, a steamroller when at his best, has been trying to make a comeback in time for the playoffs.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
John Deffenbaugh, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
In the four back-to-back title-winning campaigns that preceded this season’s collapse, rivals often complained about a feeling of inevitability that each year City would just click into gear at some point and steamroller the league.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steamroller
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.
Noun
America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers … but baseball has marked the time.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
Hunt is still questionable Panthers offensive guard Robert Hunt, a steamroller when at his best, has been trying to make a comeback in time for the playoffs.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
The national, state, and local design guidelines have been steamrollered – or perhaps shredded by the metaphorical bobsled hurtling down its track.
—John Deffenbaugh, Denver Post, 22 July 2025
In the four back-to-back title-winning campaigns that preceded this season’s collapse, rivals often complained about a feeling of inevitability that each year City would just click into gear at some point and steamroller the league.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for steamroller
Cite this Entry
“Steamroller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steamroller. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share