steamroller

UK: /ˈstiːmrəʊlə^r/ US: /ˈstimˌroʊlɚ/ ,(stēm′rō′lər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

steam•roll•er /ˈstimˌroʊlɚ/   n. [countable]

1. Mechanical Engineering a heavy steam-powered vehicle having a roller for crushing or leveling materials used for a road or the like.
2. (not in technical use) any similar vehicle with a roller.
3. a very powerful force, esp. a ruthless one.

v. [~ + object]

4. to crush or flatten with a steamroller.
5. to overcome with superior force.
6. to get (one's way) by overwhelming pressure:
   to steamroller the new law through the legislature.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

steam•roll•er  (stēm′rō′lər), n. 

1. Mechanical Engineering a heavy steam-powered vehicle having a roller for crushing, compacting, or leveling materials used for a road or the like.
2. (not in technical use) any similar vehicle with a roller.
3. an overpowering force, esp. one that crushes all opposition with ruthless disregard for individual rights.

v.t. 

4. to crush or flatten with a steamroller.
5. to overcome with superior force:
   to steamroller the competition.
6. to bring about the adoption of by overwhelming pressure:
   to steamroller the resolution through.

v.i. 

7. to proceed with implacable force.

adj. 

8. suggestive of a steamroller;
   ruthlessly overpowering:
   steamroller tactics.

• steam + roller¹ 1865–70

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

steamroller, steam roller / ˈstiːmˌrəʊlə/ noun

1. a steam-powered vehicle with heavy rollers at the front and rear used for compressing road surfaces during road-making
2. another word for roadroller
3. an overpowering force or a person with such force that overcomes all opposition
4. (as modifier): steamroller tactics

verb
also: steamroll

1. (transitive) to crush (opposition, etc) by overpowering force