trample

verb

tram·​ple ˈtram-pəl How to pronounce trample (audio)
trampled; trampling ˈtram-p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce trample (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: tramp
especially : to tread heavily so as to bruise, crush, or injure
2
: to inflict injury or destruction especially contemptuously or ruthlessly
usually used with on, over, or upon
trampling on the rights of others

transitive verb

: to crush, injure, or destroy by or as if by treading
trampled the flowers
trample noun
trampler noun

Examples of trample in a Sentence

The workmen trampled on my flower bed. Her glasses were trampled underfoot by the crowd. Many people were trampled to death trying to escape the burning building. They are trampling on our rights. They are trampling our rights. Their most cherished traditions have been trampled.
Recent Examples on the Web Once the Biden regime began building tunnels underneath American immigration law, the resulting stampede of migration from all over the world began trampling down the very geographic features that had protected the U.S. from mass migration from South America. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 12 Mar. 2024 The startup intends to introduce the elephant-mammoth hybrids into the wild to re-create the role once played by the mammoth in the Arctic ecosystem, grazing the land and trampling snow cover, potentially decelerating the melting of permafrost. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 Israel says many of the dead were trampled in a chaotic crush for food aid, and that its troops had fired warning shots after the crowd moved toward them in a threatening way. CBS News, 2 Mar. 2024 One was a gunshot wound and the other was trampled as people fled the scene. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2024 Barton said she was trampled trying to protect her daughter. Maggie Vespa, NBC News, 16 Feb. 2024 Don't be afraid to voice your concern when the rights of others are being trampled on within your organization. Rachel Wells, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Such vessels often have poor ventilation and unhygienic conditions, the group said, adding that the animals risk being trampled or injured in voyages over rough seas, and the ships rarely have an onboard veterinarian. Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024 The retired general knew how dangerous an overpowered military could be, having fought against countries whose militaries trampled on the freedoms of their citizens and plunged the world into total war. Dominic Pino, National Review, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trample.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, frequentative of trampen to tramp

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trample was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near trample

Cite this Entry

“Trample.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trample. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

trample

verb
tram·​ple ˈtram-pəl How to pronounce trample (audio)
trampled; trampling -p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce trample (audio)
1
a
: to tramp or tread heavily so as to bruise, crush, or injure
cattle trampled on the young wheat
b
: to crush, injure, or destroy by or as if by treading
trampled the flowers
2
: to injure or harm by ruthless or heartless treatment
trampling on the right of others
trampler noun

More from Merriam-Webster on trample

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