trampled; trampling
ˈtram-p(ə-)liŋ 
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
: to crush, injure, or destroy by or as if by treading
trampled the flowers
trample
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
During the season from March to October, the shoreline is pockmarked with turtle nests that are roped off with pink tape to keep beachgoers from unknowingly trampling them.
—
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
However, over the following two summers, groups of photographers descended on the site, trampling the area and leaving logs displaced in their quest for the perfect shot, researchers found.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
This new era of disorder is defined by competing powers, shifting alliances, and transactional deal-making that in turn undermines global cooperation, enables conflicts fought for power and influence, and tramples protections for the most vulnerable.
—David Miliband, Time, 16 Dec. 2025
So much of Train Dreams has to do with seeking out the soul of the American nation in the land and the forests and the hills but also in the pioneering human impulse that tramples and levels those same forests and hills.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trample
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.
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
However, over the following two summers, groups of photographers descended on the site, trampling the area and leaving logs displaced in their quest for the perfect shot, researchers found.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
This new era of disorder is defined by competing powers, shifting alliances, and transactional deal-making that in turn undermines global cooperation, enables conflicts fought for power and influence, and tramples protections for the most vulnerable.
—David Miliband, Time, 16 Dec. 2025
So much of Train Dreams has to do with seeking out the soul of the American nation in the land and the forests and the hills but also in the pioneering human impulse that tramples and levels those same forests and hills.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trample
Cite this Entry
“Trample.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trample. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trample
verb
tram·ple
ˈtram-pəl
trampled; trampling
-p(ə-)liŋ
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share