steamroller

1 of 2

noun

steam·​roll·​er ˈstēm-ˌrō-lər How to pronounce steamroller (audio)
1
: a steam-driven road roller
broadly : road roller
2
: a crushing force especially when ruthlessly applied to overcome opposition

steamroller

2 of 2

verb

steam·​roll·​er ˈstēm-ˌrō-lər How to pronounce steamroller (audio)
variants or steamroll
steamrollered or steamrolled; steamrollering or steamrolling; steamrollers or steamrolls

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to move or proceed with irresistible force

Examples of steamroller 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.
Noun
But Bohumila knows that what Marcela’s really telling her is how, even just for a little while, vodka and bad beer slow down the steamroller of a life laden with loneliness and desperation. Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025 Colors of the Alphabet offers sensory swings, a steamroller slide, and a space themed sensory room, for example. Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1879, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of steamroller was in 1863

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Steamroller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steamroller. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

steamroller

noun
steam·​roll·​er
ˈstēm-ˈrō-lər
: a machine formerly driven by steam that has wide heavy rollers for pressing down and smoothing roads

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