Walking heavily or crushing underfoot with force. Figuratively means to treat with contempt or to violate rights or principles.
From Middle English 'tramplen,' related to 'tramp,' possibly from Old French 'tramper.' The word combines the idea of heavy stepping with crushing or damaging what lies beneath.
Trampling creates vivid imagery whether literal or metaphorical - we can visualize both elephants trampling grass and dictators trampling human rights. The physical destruction implied by the word makes abstract violations feel tangible and immediate.
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