steamrolling

Steamrolling refers to a variety of concepts, generally involving the overwhelming and forceful imposition of one's will, opinion, or agenda onto others, often without regard for their input or feelings.

In a social context, steamrolling can describe a conversational tactic where an individual dominates a discussion, interrupts frequently, and dismisses opposing viewpoints. This behavior can leave others feeling unheard and disempowered. The term implies an unstoppable force that crushes resistance or alternative perspectives.

In gaming, steamrolling denotes a situation where one player or team gains a significant advantage early in the game, making it extremely difficult or impossible for opponents to recover. This often leads to a swift and decisive victory, sometimes to the point where the game becomes uncompetitive. The term is also used in a more literal sense in construction and road maintenance, where steamrollers are heavy machinery used to compact surfaces like asphalt or soil. This physical act of flattening and solidifying material can be metaphorically linked to the social and gaming definitions, emphasizing the overwhelming and flattening nature of the action.