trample
v.v. to walk or run over something in a way that damages it. You use this when you step on grass, flowers, or even people's rights.
v. to tread heavily or carelessly on something, causing damage or destruction. Often used metaphorically to describe the suppression of rights or the disregard for social norms.
The children trample the grass in the park.
The heavy boots of the soldiers trample the fragile flowers in the garden.
The new legislation was seen as a trample on the fundamental rights of the citizens, leading to widespread protests across the country.
From Middle English tramplen, trampelen (“to walk heavily”), equivalent to tramp + -le. Cognate with Saterland Frisian trampelje (“to trample”), Dutch trampelen (“to trample”), German Low German trampeln (“to trample”), German trampeln (“to trample”).