First Known Use: 1876
Dictionary
bulldoze
verb bull·doze \ˈbu̇l-ˌdōz also ˈbəl-\
: to use a bulldozer to move, destroy, or knock down (something)
: to create (something, such as a road) by using a bulldozer
: to force (something that others might not want to happen) to be done or accepted in an aggressive or harsh way
Full Definition of BULLDOZE
transitive verb
1
: to coerce or restrain by threats : bully
2
: to move, clear, gouge out, or level off by pushing with or as if with a bulldozer
3
: to force insensitively or ruthlessly
intransitive verb
1
: to operate a bulldozer
2
: to force one's way like a bulldozer
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Origin of BULLDOZE
perhaps from 1bull + alteration of dose
Related to BULLDOZE
Synonym Discussion of BULLDOZE
intimidate, cow, bulldoze, bully, browbeat mean to frighten into submission. intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another <intimidated by so many other bright freshmen>. cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost <not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business>. bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats <bulldozed the city council into approving the plan>. bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior <bullied into giving up their lunch money>. browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment <browbeat the witness into a contradiction>.
Rhymes with BULLDOZE
appose, bluenose, brownnose, compose, depose, dextrose, disclose, dispose, dog rose, enclose, expose, foreclose, fructose, glucose, hardnose, impose, Montrose, moss rose, musk rose, old rose, oppose, primrose, propose, pug nose, repose, rockrose, suppose, transpose, tuberose, unclose, viscose, wind rose
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