/ ˈtræmpl; NAmE / verb
1.
trample sb/sth (down) | trample on / over sth to step heavily on sb/sth so that you crush or harm them / it with your feet :
[ vn ]
People were trampled underfoot in the rush for the exit.
He was trampled to death by a runaway horse.
The campers had trampled the corn down.
[ v ]
Don't trample on the flowers!
2.
trample (on / over) sb/sth to ignore sb's feelings or rights and treat them as if they are not important :
[ v ]
The government is trampling on the views of ordinary people.
[also vn ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense tread heavily ): frequentative of tramp .