trample

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "trample" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is trampling over, or stepping heavily on something. For example, "The elephants trampled over the grass as they made their way to the waterhole."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This pair who now espouse the global rights of women were perfectly prepared to trample over those they thought disposable.

The Guardian - Opinion

McCoist added: "I'm a big enough boy and have been around Scottish football long enough that the fans and opposition aren't going to open the door and let them trample all over you.

The Guardian - Sport

A spokesman from film distributor Revolver retorted defensively, "People were respectful and didn't trample on any old ladies".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Kazakhstan's courts should be fair and impartial when asked to censor the right to free expression just because an image is offensive to some or causes discomfort," Mihra Rittmann of Human Rights Watch said, adding that: "with this punitive ruling, the court has chosen to trample on free speech in Kazakhstan".

The Guardian

It cannot be beyond the wit of man to give their employees access to contraception without making the employers trample deeply held beliefs by paying directly.

The Economist

At one point, UNESCO and its partners were paying wardens in banknotes flown from Kenya; but that system broke down.Places where tourism and other economic activities are expanding uncontrollably may also trample on UNESCO's high principles, which seek to preserve the integrity of sites and their surroundings.

The Economist

And so conflicts go on.What a mature, serious and strong society should learn to do is not to overreact, not to trample civil liberties, not to make the wrong arrests through haste.

The Economist

Just because some terrorists use clean money from legitimate businesses, says Mr Parker, the government should not trample on people's constitutional rights.

The Economist

Others made less sense, such as the worry (fanned by many NGOs) that rich countries would use these rules to trample on poor countries' sovereignty.

The Economist

One writer noted that "You couldn't invent a story so precisely tuned to the outrage frequency of the modern, metropolitan, bien pensant journalist".A striking number of professors were willing to trample all over legal process in their rush to declare the lacrosse players guilty before charge, let along trial.

The Economist

What is more, the fish scandal comes at a sensitive time, when Europe's governments seem increasingly inclined to trample over commission decisions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trample" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly establishes the power dynamic or violation being described. For instance, "The new regulations trampled on the rights of small businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "trample" in situations that require less forceful verbs. "Trample" implies a significant disregard or violation, making it unsuitable for minor inconveniences or disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "trample" is as a verb, denoting the action of stepping heavily and destructively on something. As Ludwig AI explains, it can be used both literally to describe physical crushing and metaphorically to signify violating rights or principles. The examples Ludwig provides illustrate this dual usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

13%

The Economist

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trample" is a verb frequently used to describe the act of stepping heavily on something, often with a destructive or violating intent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it can be used both literally and metaphorically. This term is commonly found in news and media sources, indicating its relevance in discussing events where rights or principles are disregarded. While "trample" is grammatically correct and versatile, as shown by Ludwig, it is important to use it appropriately to avoid overstating the intensity of the action. Alternative phrases like "disregard" or "infringe upon" may be more suitable in less forceful contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crush underfoot

Emphasizes the physical act of crushing something with one's feet.

stamp on

Emphasizes the act of suppressing or destroying something forcefully.

step all over

Highlights the act of disregarding someone's feelings or rights.

ride roughshod over

Suggests treating someone or something without respect or consideration.

walk all over

Implies taking advantage of someone's submissiveness.

oppress

Focuses on the act of subjugating or dominating someone.

violate

Highlights the act of infringing or disregarding rules or rights.

disregard

Emphasizes ignoring or paying no attention to something.

infringe upon

Suggests encroaching on someone's rights or boundaries.

overrun

Implies overwhelming or invading a space.

FAQs

How can I use "trample" in a sentence?

You can use "trample" to describe physically crushing something underfoot or, metaphorically, to describe violating someone's rights or feelings. For example, "The crowd threatened to "trample" the barricades", or "The company seemed to "trample" on the rights of its workers."

What's a less intense alternative to "trample"?

If "trample" seems too strong, consider alternatives such as "disregard", "infringe upon", or "encroach on" depending on the context. These offer a softer connotation of violation or intrusion.

What does it mean to say someone "tramples" on a principle?

To say someone "tramples" on a principle means they disregard or violate it, acting in a way that completely ignores or undermines that principle. It suggests a forceful and disrespectful breach.

Is there a difference between "trample" and "suppress"?

"Trample" often implies a more physical or forceful violation, while "suppress" suggests holding something back or preventing it from developing or being expressed. "Trample" suggests destruction, while "suppress" suggests control.