trampled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trampled" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that has been crushed or flattened by being stepped on, often in a figurative sense. An example: "The flowers were trampled underfoot during the festival." Alternative expressions include "crushed," "squashed," and "flattened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even if someone did get trampled – and people have gotten trampled – they can't sue us for it because that's what they signed up for.

The Guardian - Sport

If the practical effect of the law is that people live in fear because the offender is unafraid of the legal process then, in the name of civil liberties, we are allowing the vulnerable, the decent, the people who show respect and expect it back, to have their essential liberties trampled on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fourteen civilians were killed, two of them trampled to death in the panic.

The Guardian

So at least no one was trampled and one person got home safely.

The Guardian - Opinion

The magazine's website reported: "A young and promising Northampton University student, Nabila Nanfuka, was trampled to death as clubgoers stampeded for the doors to exit a nightclub on Tuesday night.

The Guardian

The most serious injury last Saturday was suffered by a university student who was hospitalised with a concussion, scrapes and bruises, after being trampled.

The Guardian - Sport

Open 2 - 4pm and from 8pm - late If you get here more than a minute after opening time, you will be trampled under foot by locals in their rush to get to the bar of this tiny white tiled cafe.

The Guardian - Travel

The missionaries they attacked had it coming, having trampled on China's sovereignty.

The Economist

But the latest effort may be trampled by consumers stampeding for cheap, easy nutrition.Like the fall of fruit and fish, the rise of ready meals is most pronounced among the poor, but everybody favours them.

The Economist

They want to "take back" an America which they say has been going wrong for generations as successive administrations have bloated the federal government and trampled on the constitution and the rights of states and individuals.

The Economist

Before November's elections they portrayed "Washington"—a constellation embracing the president, the federal government and the pork-ladling, tax-raising, freedom-crushing Congress as a monster that trampled on the people's rights, smothered enterprise with pointless regulation and pauperised future generations by spending money it did not have.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trampled" to convey both physical and figurative meanings of being crushed or violated. For example, "The protesters' rights were trampled" effectively communicates oppression.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice with "trampled". Instead of saying "The rules were trampled by someone", specify who or what did the trampling: "The corporation trampled the environmental regulations."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "trampled" is as the past participle of the verb "trample". As shown by Ludwig, it's used to describe a completed action of crushing or violating something, either literally or figuratively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trampled" functions as the past participle of "trample", effectively conveying the action of crushing or violating something, both literally and figuratively. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media and Formal & Business domains. While grammatically correct and widely used, be mindful of overusing passive voice. Consider related terms like "crushed" or "violated" for nuanced expressions. The phrase is a powerful tool for expressing forceful disregard or violation in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crushed

Implies a more forceful and complete destruction than "trampled".

squashed

Similar to "crushed" but can imply a more immediate and less figurative action.

violated

Focuses on the disregard or infringement of rights, laws, or agreements.

suppressed

Suggests the act of forcibly putting an end to something, like a rebellion or idea.

overridden

Indicates the act of setting aside or disregarding a decision or authority.

undermined

Suggests a gradual weakening or erosion of something's foundation or authority.

disregarded

Highlights a lack of attention or respect towards something.

infringed upon

Emphasizes the encroachment or violation of someone's rights or territory.

overwhelmed

Highlights the feeling of being burdened or overpowered by something.

desecrated

Implies a violation of something sacred or highly respected.

FAQs

How can I use "trampled" in a sentence?

"Trampled" is used to describe something being crushed or violated. For example, "The garden was trampled by the crowd" or "His reputation was trampled by the scandal".

What can I say instead of "trampled"?

You can use alternatives like "crushed", "violated", or "suppressed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "rights were trampled on"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "trampled on" is often used to emphasize the disregard or violation of rights or principles. For example: "The citizens' rights were trampled on by the government".

What's the difference between "trampled" and "infringed upon"?

"Trampled" implies a more forceful and destructive action, while "infringed upon" suggests a more gradual encroachment or violation. Trampled often refers to physical or figurative crushing, whereas infringed upon is generally limited to rights or boundaries.