trample

[ tram-puhl ]

verb (used without object)

, tram·pled, tram·pling.

1. to tread or step heavily and noisily; stamp.
2. to tread heavily, roughly, or crushingly (usually followed by on, upon, or over ):

   to trample on a flower bed.

3. to act in a harsh, domineering, or cruel manner, as if treading roughly (usually followed by on, upon, or over ):

   to trample on another's feelings.

verb (used with object)

, tram·pled, tram·pling.

1. to tread heavily, roughly, or carelessly on or over; tread underfoot.
2. to domineer harshly over; crush:

   to trample law and order.

3. to put out or extinguish by trampling (usually followed by out ):

   to trample out a fire.

noun

1. the act of trampling.
2. the sound of trampling.

trample

/ ˈtræmpəl /

verb

1. to stamp or walk roughly (on)

   to trample the flowers

2. to encroach (upon) so as to violate or hurt

   to trample on someone's feelings

noun

1. the action or sound of trampling

Derived Forms

• ˈtrampler, noun

Other Words From

• trampler noun
• un·trampled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trample¹

1350–1400; Middle English tramplen to stamp (cognate with German trampeln ); tramp, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of trample¹

C14: frequentative of tramp ; compare Middle High German trampeln

Example Sentences

Under Trump, they know the government will stop trying to rein in their abuses and let them freely trample the American people in pursuit of ever-higher profits.

From Salon

Similarly, park-goers have trampled sensitive vegetation in the Merced River, while trashing the area and leaving “unsanitary conditions” due to a lack of restrooms, park officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

After a few people take a particular shortcut, others see the trampled grass and follow suit.

From Los Angeles Times

For nearly a decade now, Donald Trump, sexual predator and now convicted felon, has trampled even the loosest definition of civility into the ground.

From Los Angeles Times

A month later, four people, including a two-year-old boy, died after seemingly being "trampled to death" on two separate boats.

From BBC

Related Words

• crush
• encroach
• flatten
• hurt
• infringe
• injure
• override
• overwhelm
• run over
• squash
• step on
• stomp
• violate