Definition of "steamroller" []

• A steam-driven machine equipped with a heavy roller for smoothing road surfaces. (noun)
• A similar machine with an internal-combustion engine. (noun)
• A ruthless or irresistible force or power. (noun)
• To smooth or level (a road) with a steamroller. (verb-transitive)
• To overwhelm or suppress ruthlessly; crush. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The governor using what he calls steamroller tactics and frankly, he says in has nothing to do with immigration."
• "Spitzer ignoring the will of his people in New York using what he calls steamroller tactics to crush the opposition."
• "He may be what he calls a steamroller, but I think he's a weak-kneed, spineless steamroller, who is absolutely acting against the interests of his citizens and ignoring, ignoring the will of New York State citizens."