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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Coupled with his hateful rhetoric, threats, lies, erratic policies, trampling of the Constitution and abnormal fascination with childish superlatives, tyrannical figures and Soviet-era style military parades, there’s much to be concerned about. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025 Stay on those trails and do not trample the flowers (or take any home). Raul Roa, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025 Trump's attack on birthright citizenship is just one example of a larger, horrifying pattern—a presidency unbound by precedent, marked by an abuse of authority, motivated by division, and willing to trample individual rights for political gain. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 In this instance, though, the Administration is not attempting to trample on powerless civil servants or migrants, or pusillanimous law firms, or universities that don’t have as much money as Harvard does. John Cassidy, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trample

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trample.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trample. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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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