STEAMROLLER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does steamroller mean? 

• STEAMROLLER (noun)
  The noun STEAMROLLER has 2 senses:

1. a massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way

2. vehicle equipped with heavy wide smooth rollers for compacting roads and pavements

  Familiarity information: STEAMROLLER used as a noun is rare.

• STEAMROLLER (verb)
  The verb STEAMROLLER has 5 senses:

1. bring to a specified state by overwhelming force or pressure

2. proceed with great force

3. crush with a steamroller as if to level

4. overwhelm by using great force

5. make level or flat with a steamroller

  Familiarity information: STEAMROLLER used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STEAMROLLER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

juggernaut; steamroller

Hypernyms ("steamroller" is a kind of...):

force; power (one possessing or exercising power or influence or authority)

Derivation:

steamroll (overwhelm by using great force)

steamroll (proceed with great force)

steamroll (bring to a specified state by overwhelming force or pressure)

steamroller (overwhelm by using great force)

steamroller (proceed with great force)

steamroller (bring to a specified state by overwhelming force or pressure)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Vehicle equipped with heavy wide smooth rollers for compacting roads and pavements

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

road roller; steamroller

Hypernyms ("steamroller" is a kind of...):

vehicle (a conveyance that transports people or objects)

Derivation:

steamroller (make level or flat with a steamroller)

steamroller (crush with a steamroller as if to level)

• STEAMROLLER (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they steamroller    ... he / she / it steamrollers   
Past simple: steamrollered   
Past participle: steamrollered   
-ing form: steamrollering   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Bring to a specified state by overwhelming force or pressure

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

steamroll; steamroller

Context example:

The Senator steamrollered the bill to defeat

Hypernyms (to "steamroller" is one way to...):

coerce; force; hale; pressure; squeeze (to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means)

Verb group:

steamroll; steamroller (overwhelm by using great force)

steamroll; steamroller (proceed with great force)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

steamroller (a massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Proceed with great force

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

steamroll; steamroller

Context example:

The new teacher tends to steamroller

Hypernyms (to "steamroller" is one way to...):

go; move; proceed (follow a procedure or take a course)

Verb group:

steamroll; steamroller (bring to a specified state by overwhelming force or pressure)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Derivation:

steamroller (a massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Crush with a steamroller as if to level

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

steamroller the road

Hypernyms (to "steamroller" is one way to...):

crush; mash; squash; squeeze; squelch (to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

steamroller (vehicle equipped with heavy wide smooth rollers for compacting roads and pavements)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Overwhelm by using great force

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

steamroll; steamroller

Context example:

steamroller the opposition

Hypernyms (to "steamroller" is one way to...):

overmaster; overpower; overwhelm (overcome by superior force)

Verb group:

steamroll; steamroller (bring to a specified state by overwhelming force or pressure)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

Sam cannot steamroller Sue

Derivation:

steamroller (a massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Make level or flat with a steamroller

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

steamroll; steamroller

Context example:

steamroll the roads

Hypernyms (to "steamroller" is one way to...):

flatten (make flat or flatter)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

steamroller (vehicle equipped with heavy wide smooth rollers for compacting roads and pavements)