What does steamroll mean?
Steamroll is a verb that means to crush or overpower someone or something completely, often in a way that is considered unfair or overwhelming. It is often used in informal or conversational contexts to describe a situation where one person or entity has a significant advantage over another. The word can imply a sense of unfairness or exploitation, and is often used to describe situations where one party has a significant advantage over another. For example, a company's aggressive marketing strategy may steamroll the competition, leaving them struggling to keep up. Alternatively, a politician's popularity may steamroll the opposition, making it difficult for them to gain traction. Overall, steamroll is a useful word for describing situations where one party has a significant advantage over another, and is often used in informal or conversational contexts.
verbTo crush or overpower someone or something completely, often in a way that is considered unfair or overwhelming.
- To crush or overpower someone or something completely, often in a way that is considered unfair or overwhelming.
"The company's aggressive marketing strategy steamrolled the competition, leaving them struggling to keep up."
"The company's aggressive marketing strategy steamrolled the competition, leaving them struggling to keep up."
"The politician's popularity steamrolled the opposition, making it difficult for them to gain traction."
The plural form of steamroll is used to describe situations where multiple parties are being crushed or overpowered.
"The company's aggressive marketing strategy steamrolled the competition, leaving them struggling to keep up."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of steamroll
The word steamroll is derived from the phrase 'steam roller', which refers to a machine used to flatten or crush objects. The verb form of the word emerged in the mid-20th century, and is thought to have originated in the United States.
How steamroll is actually used
Steamroll is often used in informal or conversational contexts to describe a situation where one person or entity has a significant advantage over another. It can also imply a sense of unfairness or exploitation.