0 a vehicle that moves forward on a large, heavy wheel in order to make a road surface flat
1 a person who forces other people to agree with them and prevents any opposition
2 to use great force either to make someone do something or on something to make it happen or be successful:
3 a vehicle whose wheels are large, heavy cylinders that roll over a road surface to make it flat
4 to use great force to make someone do something or to make (something) happen:
5 a large, heavy machine that rolls over the surface of a new road to make it flat
6 a powerful force that easily defeats anything opposing it:
It is hard for small businesses to compete against the steamroller of globalization.
7 to achieve something using a great amount of force, pressure, or influence:
8 to defeat someone by using a great amount of force, pressure, or influence:
The company is so big they simply steamroller the competition.
The report has been pro- duced by the "rolling chairmen", and no doubt their proposals could be steamrollered into effect.
He said that he had not space in the hangars, and he steamrollered the lot.
To suggest that we have not given time to authorities, that we have steamrollered or are rushing this through is an arrant piece of nonsense.
Too often planners are steamrollered into developments which exploit cheaper waterside land and result in nothing but slabs of wall facing the waterway.
I do not believe, however, that teachers will allow themselves to be steamrollered in this fashion.
He did not say a word to the leaders of the steamrollers who represented him.
What is most important now is not steamrollering through measures and further debate but the opportunity to take decisons.
I was initially tempted down the route of steamrollers or even rollercoasters—both in their own ways appropriate.