roughshod

1 of 2

adjective

rough·​shod ˈrəf-ˌshäd How to pronounce roughshod (audio)
1
: shod with calked shoes
2
: marked by tyrannical force
roughshod rule

roughshod

2 of 2

adverb

: in a roughly forceful manner
rode roughshod over the opposition

Examples of roughshod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Almost every military Wolf lived a roughshod life early on, often taking a beating from over-eager soldiers. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2024 Toshiro Mifune and six other badass rōnin square off against bandits who’ve been riding roughshod humble villagers in Akira Kurosawa’s epic 1954 action tale set in feudal Japan. Matt Cooperlistings Coordinator, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022 And while Craig’s time with the character has seen villains with wildly unbelievable plans for global domination, the action scenes have been physical, roughshod, and intimate. Eric Adams, Popular Mechanics, 8 Oct. 2021 As vice president Pence has worked to level Trump's roughshod style and steer his response to the coronavirus pandemic. Michelle L. Price, Star Tribune, 6 Oct. 2020 Originally a competitor to the roughshod Jeep CJ, the Ford Bronco spat mud for three decades from 1966 to 1996, when the infamous O.J. Simpson chase hastened its end. Tom Krisher, chicagotribune.com, 15 Mar. 2018
Adverb
The Bruins ran roughshod over the NHL this season, but the playoffs mark a different, often more unfair, season. Jace Evans, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2023 So fast, in fact, that any explanation that does not involve a behemoth black hole running roughshod between galaxies would seem unlikely. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2023 And in the many American cities where cars dominate and public transport is lacking, the priority should be building new infrastructure to move people around efficiently and greenly, not allowing tech startups to run roughshod over public space. Jill Filipovic, CNN, 5 Apr. 2023 Other states must keep education bureaucrats from running roughshod over policy-makers and the public. David Randall, National Review, 10 Feb. 2023 He was replaced by Iaroslav Niagu, who struggled to do much better, as Washington big man Braxton Meah ran roughshod in the paint early on. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2023 The Eagles collectively ran roughshod over the 49ers and New York Giants (in the divisional round) by a collective score of 69-14, surrendering 391 total yards while pitching shutouts in six of eight postseason quarters. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2023 The Pioneers ran roughshod on North Ridgeville in their 42-6 road win, as Lance Glover Jr. and Jaden Gilbert each scored twice on a combined 15 touches. Matt Goul, cleveland, 2 Oct. 2022 Lula narrowly defeated Joir Bolsonaro, who let the loggers and farmers run roughshod over the country’s vast rainforests and the home to the Indians. Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'roughshod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of roughshod was circa 1688

Dictionary Entries Near roughshod

Cite this Entry

“Roughshod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roughshod. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

roughshod

adverb
rough·​shod
ˈrəf-ˈshäd
: with no consideration for the wishes or feelings of others
usually used in the phrase ride roughshod over or run roughshod over

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