Arrollar

Arrollar is a Spanish verb with several related senses centered on the idea of a rolling or overpowering impact. Its main uses are: a) to roll over, flatten, or crush something by rolling; b) to run over someone or something with a vehicle, causing injury or damage; c) to overwhelm or defeat someone or something decisively, such as a team, an argument, or a force of critics.

As a transitive verb, arrollar requires a direct object: arrollar a alguien (to run someone over, or to overwhelm them) or arrollar un obstáculo (to roll over or push aside an obstacle). The noun form arrollamiento denotes the act or effect of being run over, or the process of overwhelming. The adjective arrollador/a describes something or someone that is overwhelming or irresistible, capable of defeating opponents or subduing resistance.

Usage notes and nuance: in literal contexts, arrollar is commonly used to describe vehicle collisions or any scenario in which a rolling action directly overcomes physical obstacles. In figurative contexts, it conveys a sense of forceful predominance or rapid, overwhelming success, as in sports, politics, or media coverage. It can carry a harsh or destructive connotation when referring to victims of an accident.

Examples: “El camión arrolló a varios peatones.” “El equipo arrolló al rival con una goleada.” “La crítica arrolló al candidato.”