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B2 verb #7,500 most common 10 min read

bulldoze

Top 7,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips bulldoze in 30 Seconds

Explanation bulldoze in your Level:

The word 'bulldoze' is a bit difficult for A1, but you can think of it like a very big tractor. A 'bulldozer' is a machine that pushes dirt and rocks. To 'bulldoze' is what that machine does. It pushes things out of the way very strongly. Imagine you have many toy blocks and you push them all at once with your hand—that is like bulldozing them. In simple English, it means 'to push something very hard to move it or break it.' It is a strong action word.

At the A2 level, you can understand 'bulldoze' as a way to clear land for building. When people want to build a new house, they might need to bulldoze the old trees or small sheds first. It means to use a big machine to make the ground flat. You might also hear it when someone is being a bit bossy. If a friend doesn't listen to what you want to do and just makes everyone do their plan, they are 'bulldozing' the group. It means using power to get what you want without being nice.

For B1 learners, 'bulldoze' is a useful verb for describing construction and forceful behavior. Literally, it refers to the process of leveling ground or demolishing structures using heavy machinery. Figuratively, it describes a person who forces their way through a situation. If a politician 'bulldozes' a law through, they are using their power to make it happen quickly, even if many people disagree. It implies a lack of patience and a focus on the end result rather than the feelings of others. It's more aggressive than just 'pushing.'

At the B2 level, 'bulldoze' represents a forceful, often insensitive method of achieving an objective. In a literal sense, it's about clearing or leveling land, often seen in urban development contexts. Metaphorically, it's used to describe someone who 'steamrolls' over obstacles or people's opinions. A manager might bulldoze their team into accepting a new policy. The word carries a connotation of overwhelming force and a disregard for nuances or objections. It is a transitive verb, meaning you usually bulldoze a specific thing or person.

C1 learners should appreciate the rhetorical power of 'bulldoze.' It is frequently used in political and social critique to describe the exercise of raw power. It suggests a process that is not only forceful but also destructive to existing structures—be they physical buildings or social norms. To bulldoze an initiative is to push it forward with such momentum that opposition becomes impossible. It is also used in sports to describe a player's physical dominance. The word evokes an image of an unstoppable, unthinking machine, which adds a layer of dehumanization to the person being described.

At the C2 level, 'bulldoze' can be used to describe complex systemic actions. It might refer to the way global corporations 'bulldoze' local economies or how certain ideologies 'bulldoze' cultural heritage. The nuances involve the tension between progress and destruction. When you use 'bulldoze' in C2 writing, you are often commenting on the ethics of power. It can also be used in highly technical construction contexts or in sophisticated metaphors about mental processes—for instance, 'bulldozing through one's own inhibitions' to achieve a breakthrough. It remains a visceral, high-impact verb.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

bulldoze in 30 Seconds

Bulldoze means to physically flatten or demolish things using heavy machinery.
It also describes forcing a decision or project through despite strong opposition.
The word implies overwhelming force, aggression, and a lack of sensitivity.
It is commonly used in construction, politics, sports, and business contexts.

The word bulldoze is a powerful verb that carries both literal and metaphorical weight. At its most basic, literal level, it refers to the physical act of using a bulldozer—a heavy tractor equipped with a large metal plate—to clear land, level ground, or demolish structures. When a construction crew decides to bulldoze an old building, they are not just removing it; they are forcefully flattening it to make way for something new. This sense of overwhelming power and physical transformation is central to the word's identity. It implies a process that is loud, messy, and absolute. You wouldn't use 'bulldoze' for a delicate renovation; you use it when the intent is to wipe the slate clean.

Physical Application: The use of heavy machinery to flatten terrain or destroy existing architecture. This is common in urban development and civil engineering contexts.
Figurative Application: To use overwhelming force, influence, or intimidation to achieve a goal, often ignoring the feelings, opinions, or rights of others in the process.

Beyond the construction site, bulldoze enters the realm of human interaction and social dynamics. Metaphorically, to bulldoze someone means to force them into a decision or to push a project through despite significant opposition. Imagine a manager who enters a meeting and refuses to listen to any concerns, insisting that their plan be followed exactly. That person is trying to bulldoze the committee. It suggests an aggressive, insensitive approach where the 'path of least resistance' is created by the sheer force of the individual's will. It is frequently used in political journalism to describe how a powerful leader might push legislation through a reluctant parliament.

The developers plan to bulldoze the historical park to build a luxury shopping mall, despite local protests.

In terms of register, 'bulldoze' is quite versatile. It is common in everyday conversation, news reporting, and business contexts. When used figuratively, it often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the person doing the bulldozing is being a 'bully' or is lacking in empathy. However, in some competitive business environments, being able to 'bulldoze through obstacles' might be viewed as a positive trait of a determined leader, though this is a more nuanced and less common interpretation. Understanding the balance between the physical act of clearing and the social act of forcing is key to mastering this word.

She tried to bulldoze her way into the conversation, ignoring the fact that we were already discussing a private matter.

Using bulldoze correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature; it almost always requires an object. You bulldoze something or someone. In a literal sense, the object is usually a physical structure, a landscape, or an obstacle. In a figurative sense, the object can be a person, a group, an idea, or even a set of regulations. The verb is often paired with the preposition 'through' or 'over' to emphasize the movement across or past a barrier.

Transitive Usage (Physical): 'The city council decided to bulldoze the condemned tenements.' Here, the tenements are the direct object being physically destroyed.
Transitive Usage (Figurative): 'He managed to bulldoze the board into approving the merger.' In this case, the 'board' is the group being forced or intimidated.

One common phrasal construction is 'to bulldoze through.' This implies moving through a complex situation or a series of obstacles with relentless force. For example, 'The athlete bulldozed through the defense to score the winning goal.' This usage highlights the momentum and power of the action. It is also common to see the word used in the passive voice, especially when describing the victims of the action: 'The small shop owners felt they were being bulldozed by the corporate giant.'

Don't let them bulldoze you into signing a contract you haven't fully read.

When writing about social or political issues, bulldoze is a vivid choice to describe the suppression of dissent. It evokes an image of a heavy, unstoppable force that doesn't care about what it crushes. If you say a government 'bulldozed the opposition,' you are suggesting that they didn't just win a debate; they effectively silenced or ignored their opponents through sheer power. This makes the word highly effective for persuasive or descriptive writing where you want to highlight an imbalance of power.

The storm seemed to bulldoze its way across the coast, leaving a trail of debris in its wake.

You will encounter bulldoze in several distinct environments. The most literal is in construction and urban planning. News reports about new housing developments, road expansions, or the demolition of historic sites frequently use the word. In these contexts, it is a technical term that describes the preparation of the site. If you live in a city undergoing rapid gentrification, you might hear residents complaining that developers are 'bulldozing the neighborhood's character'—a mix of the literal destruction of buildings and the metaphorical destruction of the community's identity.

Political Commentary: Journalists often use 'bulldoze' to describe how a majority party passes laws without considering the minority's views. It highlights a lack of democratic deliberation.
Sports Broadcasting: In contact sports like American football or rugby, a player might be described as 'bulldozing' through the opposition line, emphasizing their physical strength and momentum.

In corporate and office settings, the word is used to describe assertive or aggressive management styles. You might hear a colleague whisper, 'He really bulldozed that meeting,' meaning he dominated the conversation and didn't let anyone else speak. It's a word used to critique a lack of collaboration. In negotiations, one side might be accused of 'bulldozing' the other if they use their size or wealth to force unfair terms. It conveys a sense of 'might makes right' that is often viewed as unprofessional or unethical.

The senator was accused of trying to bulldoze the bill through committee before anyone could read the amendments.

Finally, you'll hear it in environmental discussions. Environmentalists use the word to describe the destruction of natural habitats. 'Bulldozing the rainforest' is a common phrase used to evoke the violent and irreversible nature of deforestation. Here, the word serves as a call to action, emphasizing the brutality of the industrial process against the fragility of nature. Whether it's a physical tractor or a metaphorical political force, 'bulldoze' always signifies a powerful entity overriding something smaller or weaker.

The star fullback bulldozed his way past three defenders to reach the end zone.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing bulldoze with bully. While they share a similar root in the idea of force, they are used differently. 'Bully' is often a noun (the person) or a verb describing persistent harassment, usually of a social or psychological nature. 'Bulldoze' is more about a single, forceful action or a general approach to clearing obstacles. You 'bully' a classmate by teasing them; you 'bulldoze' a classmate by physically pushing past them or forcing them to agree with your project idea without listening.

Mistake 1: Using it for small actions: Incorrect: 'I will bulldoze the pencil off the table.' Correct: 'I will push the pencil off the table.' Bulldozing implies massive force or a large scale.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Browse': This is a phonetic error. 'Browse' means to look through casually, while 'bulldoze' is the extreme opposite—forceful and destructive.

Another mistake is using 'bulldoze' as an intransitive verb without a clear context. For example, saying 'He bulldozed today' sounds incomplete. You need to specify what was bulldozed or the manner in which it was done (e.g., 'He bulldozed through his work'). Because the word is so strong, using it for mundane tasks can sound like hyperbole or sarcasm. Saying 'I bulldozed through my emails' suggests you deleted them all or answered them with extreme aggression, which might not be what you mean if you just answered them quickly.

Avoid saying: 'She bulldozed the baby into the crib.' This sounds violent and inappropriate for gentle care.

Finally, be careful with the passive voice. While 'the building was bulldozed' is perfectly fine, saying 'I was bulldozed by the news' is less common than 'I was overwhelmed' or 'I was floored.' 'Bulldozed' usually implies a person or entity was the target of someone else's forceful will, rather than just being surprised by information. Keep the focus on the application of power and the removal of obstacles to stay within the word's most natural usage patterns.

Incorrect: 'The wind bulldozed my hair.' Correct: 'The wind messed up my hair.'

If you find that bulldoze is too strong or not quite right for your context, there are several alternatives. For the literal act of destroying a building, demolish or raze are excellent choices. 'Demolish' is the standard term for tearing down a structure, while 'raze' (often used as 'raze to the ground') suggests complete and total destruction, often in a historical or military context. 'Level' is another alternative, focusing on making the ground flat after destruction.

Bulldoze vs. Steamroll: While similar, 'steamroll' often implies a slow, steady, and crushing weight of progress or bureaucracy, whereas 'bulldoze' feels more active, aggressive, and direct.
Bulldoze vs. Coerce: 'Coerce' is more formal and focuses on the psychological or legal pressure used to force someone to act. 'Bulldoze' is more visceral and implies a lack of subtlety.

In a metaphorical sense, if you want to describe someone being forceful but perhaps less 'destructive,' you could use railroad. To 'railroad' someone means to rush them into a decision or to convict them without a fair trial. It has a similar sense of unstoppable momentum. If the action is more about physical movement through a crowd, plow (as in 'plow through the crowd') is a great alternative. It suggests a steady, forceful movement, like a ship through water or a plow through soil.

Instead of 'bulldoze,' use overrun if you are describing a large group taking over a space quickly.

For a more positive spin on the idea of removing obstacles, you might use clear the way or pave the way. These phrases suggest that the removal of obstacles is being done for a constructive purpose, whereas 'bulldoze' often implies that something valuable might have been lost in the process. Choosing the right synonym depends entirely on whether you want to emphasize the destruction, the force, the speed, or the ultimate goal of the action.

The committee felt railroaded into a decision they weren't ready to make.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'bulldozer' machine was named after the verb, not the other way around! The machine was so powerful at 'bulldozing' (pushing) things that it took the name in the early 20th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈbʊl.dəʊz/

US /ˈbʊl.doʊz/

The stress is on the first syllable: BULL-doze.

Rhymes With

hose nose rose those chose prose close (verb) pose

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'bull' like 'ball'. It should rhyme with 'full'.
Pronouncing 'doze' like 'does'. It should rhyme with 'nose'.
Putting the stress on the second syllable.
Confusion with 'bully', leading to 'bull-ee-doze'.
Dropping the 'd' and saying 'bull-oze'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and fiction; context usually makes the meaning clear.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding of the figurative nuances to use correctly without sounding too aggressive.

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation is key; the 'z' sound at the end must be clear.

Listening 3/5

Easily recognized once the learner is familiar with the 'bull' root.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

push break machine force flat

Learn Next

demolish coerce intimidate infrastructure legislation

Advanced

hegemony unilateral obliterate raze encroach

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verbs

You must include an object: 'They bulldozed the house' (not just 'They bulldozed').

Phrasal Verbs with 'Through'

Bulldoze through [obstacle] emphasizes the process of moving past barriers.

Passive Voice for Demolition

The structure 'was bulldozed' is common when the focus is on the building.

Gerunds as Subjects

'Bulldozing the forest is a crime' uses the verb as a noun.

Reflexive Pronouns

Using 'bulldoze one's way' requires the correct possessive (his, her, their).

Examples by Level

The big machine will bulldoze the dirt.

La grande machine va déblayer la terre.

Subject + will + verb + object.

They bulldoze the old house.

Ils démolissent la vieille maison.

Simple present tense.

Do not bulldoze your toys.

Ne bouscule pas tes jouets.

Imperative negative.

He can bulldoze the sand.

Il peut niveler le sable.

Modal 'can' + base verb.

The tractor will bulldoze the rocks.

Le tracteur va déplacer les rochers.

Future tense with 'will'.

We saw them bulldoze the wall.

Nous les avons vus abattre le mur.

Past tense 'saw' + object + base verb.

They need to bulldoze the field.

Ils doivent niveler le champ.

Verb 'need' + infinitive.

Can you bulldoze the snow?

Peux-tu déblayer la neige ?

Question with 'can'.

The workers are going to bulldoze the trees to make a road.

Les ouvriers vont abattre les arbres pour faire une route.

'be going to' for future plans.

My brother tries to bulldoze me when we play games.

Mon frère essaie de m'imposer sa volonté quand nous jouons.

Figurative use, present simple.

They bulldozed the old playground last week.

Ils ont démoli l'ancien terrain de jeu la semaine dernière.

Past simple tense.

She doesn't like it when people bulldoze her ideas.

Elle n'aime pas quand les gens rejettent ses idées brutalement.

Negative present simple.

The company will bulldoze the forest for a factory.

L'entreprise va raser la forêt pour une usine.

Future tense with 'will'.

He is bulldozing the garden to plant grass.

Il nivelle le jardin pour planter de l'herbe.

Present continuous.

We watched the machine bulldoze the bricks.

Nous avons regardé la machine broyer les briques.

Sense verb 'watch' + object + base verb.

You should not bulldoze your way through the crowd.

Tu ne devrais pas te frayer un chemin brutalement dans la foule.

Modal 'should' + negative.

The city plans to bulldoze the entire block to build a new stadium.

La ville prévoit de raser tout le pâté de maisons pour construire un nouveau stade.

Infinitive after 'plans'.

He often tries to bulldoze his colleagues into agreeing with him.

Il essaie souvent de forcer ses collègues à être d'accord avec lui.

Bulldoze someone into [verb]ing.

The protesters were angry that the park was bulldozed.

Les manifestants étaient en colère que le parc ait été rasé.

Passive voice 'was bulldozed'.

You can't just bulldoze through life without considering others.

Tu ne peux pas simplement avancer dans la vie sans tenir compte des autres.

Bulldoze through [noun].

The storm bulldozed everything in its path.

La tempête a tout dévasté sur son passage.

Metaphorical use for natural force.

They are bulldozing the site to prepare for the foundation.

Ils nivellent le site pour préparer les fondations.

Present continuous for current action.

Stop trying to bulldoze the conversation!

Arrête d'essayer de monopoliser la conversation !

Imperative with 'stop' + gerund.

The old ruins were unfortunately bulldozed by the developers.

Les vieilles ruines ont malheureusement été détruites par les promoteurs.

Passive voice with agent 'by'.

The government was accused of bulldozing the legislation through parliament.

Le gouvernement a été accusé de faire passer la législation en force au parlement.

Gerund after preposition 'of'.

It's hard to work with someone who constantly bulldozes over your suggestions.

C'est difficile de travailler avec quelqu'un qui balaie constamment vos suggestions.

Phrasal verb 'bulldoze over'.

The developer bulldozed the historic theater despite the community's outcry.

Le promoteur a rasé le théâtre historique malgré les protestations de la communauté.

Past simple with contrastive 'despite'.

He bulldozed his way to the front of the line, ignoring the angry glares.

Il s'est frayé un chemin en force jusqu'au début de la file, ignorant les regards furieux.

Reflexive 'his way' + prepositional phrase.

The heavy rain threatened to bulldoze the fragile seedlings in the garden.

La pluie battante menaçait d'écraser les jeunes pousses fragiles du jardin.

Infinitive after 'threatened'.

They didn't just win; they bulldozed the competition in the final match.

Ils n'ont pas seulement gagné ; ils ont écrasé la concurrence lors du match final.

Metaphorical use for sports dominance.

The project was bulldozed ahead without a proper environmental impact study.

Le projet a été poussé en avant sans étude d'impact environnemental appropriée.

Passive voice with 'ahead'.

The manager is known for bulldozing anyone who disagrees with her vision.

La directrice est connue pour écraser quiconque n'est pas d'accord avec sa vision.

Gerund after 'for'.

The administration's attempt to bulldoze the reform through met with stiff resistance.

La tentative de l'administration de faire passer la réforme en force s'est heurtée à une vive résistance.

Noun phrase followed by infinitive.

In his pursuit of profit, the CEO seemed willing to bulldoze any ethical considerations.

Dans sa quête de profit, le PDG semblait prêt à balayer toute considération éthique.

Infinitive showing willingness.

The sheer scale of the project threatened to bulldoze the local cultural heritage.

L'ampleur même du projet menaçait de raser le patrimoine culturel local.

Subject 'scale' + verb.

She has a tendency to bulldoze over the nuances of a complex argument.

Elle a tendance à ignorer les nuances d'un argument complexe.

Noun 'tendency' + infinitive.

The defense was completely bulldozed by the striker's aggressive playing style.

La défense a été complètement enfoncée par le style de jeu agressif de l'attaquant.

Passive voice with 'by' agent.

Urban sprawl continues to bulldoze its way into the surrounding countryside.

L'étalement urbain continue de gagner du terrain sur la campagne environnante.

Reflexive 'its way' + prepositional phrase.

He managed to bulldoze the opposition into silence through a series of legal threats.

Il a réussi à réduire l'opposition au silence par une série de menaces juridiques.

Verb + object + into + noun.

The software update was bulldozed out to users despite numerous known bugs.

La mise à jour du logiciel a été imposée aux utilisateurs malgré de nombreux bogues connus.

Passive voice with 'out'.

The geopolitical landscape was bulldozed by the sudden shift in diplomatic relations.

Le paysage géopolitique a été bouleversé par le changement soudain des relations diplomatiques.

Abstract passive usage.

There is a fine line between being a strong leader and bulldozing the democratic process.

Il y a une frontière ténue entre être un leader fort et bafouer le processus démocratique.

Gerund as part of a comparison.

The critic argued that the director's vision bulldozed the original intent of the novel.

Le critique a soutenu que la vision du réalisateur avait balayé l'intention originale du roman.

That-clause with past simple.

The relentless march of technology can often bulldoze traditional ways of life.

La marche implacable de la technologie peut souvent anéantir les modes de vie traditionnels.

Modal 'can' + base verb.

Her intellectual prowess allowed her to bulldoze through even the most convoluted theories.

Ses prouesses intellectuelles lui ont permis de venir à bout des théories les plus alambiquées.

Infinitive after 'allow'.

The legislation was bulldozed through during a midnight session of the senate.

La législation a été adoptée en force lors d'une session de minuit du sénat.

Passive voice with temporal phrase.

We must ensure that progress does not bulldoze the rights of the marginalized.

Nous devons veiller à ce que le progrès n'écrase pas les droits des marginalisés.

Negative 'does not' + base verb.

The market's volatility threatened to bulldoze the savings of millions of investors.

La volatilité du marché menaçait d'anéantir l'épargne de millions d'investisseurs.

Infinitive showing threat.

Synonyms

demolish flatten level steamroll coerce raze

Antonyms

construct build preserve

Common Collocations

bulldoze a building

bulldoze through opposition

bulldoze a path

bulldoze legislation

bulldoze one's way

bulldoze a site

bulldoze the competition

bulldoze the forest

bulldoze into a decision

literally bulldoze

Common Phrases

bulldoze ahead

— To continue with a plan forcefully despite problems.

The company decided to bulldoze ahead with the launch.

bulldoze over someone

— To ignore someone's feelings or rights to get what you want.

He just bulldozes over everyone in the office.

bulldoze through a crowd

— To push through many people very forcefully.

She had to bulldoze through the crowd to reach the exit.

bulldoze the ground

— To make the earth flat using a machine.

They are bulldozing the ground for the new parking lot.

bulldoze a project

— To force a project to completion regardless of obstacles.

The director bulldozed the project to meet the deadline.

bulldoze a neighborhood

— To destroy many buildings in an area, often for redevelopment.

They bulldozed the old neighborhood to build high-rises.

bulldoze a bill

— To force a piece of law through the voting process.

The government is trying to bulldoze the bill through tonight.

bulldoze resistance

— To overcome any opposition using sheer power.

The army bulldozed any resistance they encountered.

bulldoze obstacles

— To remove things that are in the way of a goal.

He is determined to bulldoze any obstacles to his success.

bulldoze a home

— To destroy a person's house with a machine.

The bank sent workers to bulldoze the abandoned home.

Often Confused With

bulldoze vs bully

Bullying is repeated social harassment; bulldozing is a forceful clearing of obstacles or people.

bulldoze vs browse

Browse means to look casually; bulldoze means to push forcefully. They sound slightly similar but are opposites.

bulldoze vs bellow

Bellow means to shout loudly; bulldoze means to push or demolish. Both involve 'noise' and 'force' but in different ways.

Idioms & Expressions

"bulldoze one's way in"

— To enter a place or situation forcefully or without invitation.

He tried to bulldoze his way into the private party.

informal

"bulldoze through red tape"

— To bypass or ignore bureaucratic rules to get something done.

The CEO bulldozed through the red tape to open the new factory.

informal

"bulldoze the opposition"

— To completely defeat or silence those who disagree.

The team bulldozed the opposition in every game this season.

neutral

"bulldoze into silence"

— To intimidate someone so much that they stop speaking or complaining.

The witnesses were bulldozed into silence by the gang.

neutral

"bulldoze the truth"

— To ignore or suppress facts in order to push a specific agenda.

Critics say the report bulldozes the truth about the incident.

formal

"bulldoze feelings"

— To act without any regard for how others might feel.

You can't just bulldoze people's feelings to get what you want.

informal

"bulldoze the path to success"

— To work relentlessly and aggressively toward a goal.

She bulldozed her path to success in the fashion industry.

neutral

"bulldoze a compromise"

— To force a middle-ground solution that no one actually likes.

The mediator bulldozed a compromise to end the strike.

neutral

"bulldoze the past"

— To ignore or destroy historical context or traditions.

Modern architects are often accused of bulldozing the past.

formal

"bulldoze through the noise"

— To focus on what is important while ignoring distractions or opinions.

The leader bulldozed through the noise to deliver the message.

neutral

Easily Confused

bulldoze vs demolish

Both mean to destroy a building.

Demolish is the general term for tearing down. Bulldoze specifically implies using a bulldozer to flatten or clear the area.

They demolished the building with explosives, then bulldozed the rubble.

bulldoze vs steamroll

Both mean to use force to get your way.

Steamroll suggests a slow, steady, crushing weight. Bulldoze suggests a more active, aggressive pushing aside of things.

The company steamrolled the small town's laws, bulldozing any local opposition.

bulldoze vs raze

Both mean to flatten something.

Raze is more formal and often used for total destruction in war or history. Bulldoze is more modern and industrial.

The invading army razed the city; the modern developers bulldozed the ruins.

bulldoze vs coerce

Both involve forcing someone.

Coerce is a formal, often legal term for forcing someone through threats. Bulldoze is more informal and describes the manner of the force—aggressive and insensitive.

He didn't just coerce them; he bulldozed the entire meeting until they gave in.

bulldoze vs plow

Both involve moving through something forcefully.

Plow is often used for moving through snow, soil, or crowds in a steady line. Bulldoze is more about clearing or flattening.

The ship plowed through the waves, while the construction crew bulldozed the shoreline.

Sentence Patterns

They will bulldoze the [noun].

They will bulldoze the old garage.

Don't bulldoze the [noun]!

Don't bulldoze the flowers!

[Person] is bulldozing [Person].

The boss is bulldozing the workers.

[Person] bulldozed through the [obstacle].

She bulldozed through the crowd to get to the exit.

[Noun] was bulldozed by [Agent].

The park was bulldozed by the developers.

Bulldozing [Noun] led to [Consequence].

Bulldozing the slums led to massive homelessness.

[Person] bulldozed [Person] into [Action].

He bulldozed the committee into accepting his proposal.

The [Abstract Noun] was effectively bulldozed by [Force].

Traditional values were effectively bulldozed by the consumerist culture.

Word Family

Nouns

bulldozer (the machine)

bulldozing (the act)

Verbs

bulldoze

Adjectives

bulldozed (flattened)

bulldozing (forceful)

bull

doze

demolition

excavator

grader

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news, construction, and political discourse.

Common Mistakes

Using 'bulldoze' to mean 'to sleep.' → I dozed off during the movie.
Learners see 'doze' and think it means sleeping. 'Bulldoze' is only about force and demolition.
Saying 'He bulldozed to the store.' → He bulldozed his way to the store.
'Bulldoze' usually needs an object or the reflexive 'his/her way' to indicate the path being cleared.
Using it for gentle removal. → I cleared the crumbs from the table.
Bulldozing is for heavy, forceful removal. Using it for crumbs is either sarcastic or incorrect.
Confusing 'bulldoze' with 'bully' in all contexts. → He bulldozed the meeting (dominated it). He bullied the intern (harassed them).
While related, 'bulldoze' is about the method of force, while 'bully' is about the pattern of harassment.
Pronouncing it as 'bull-dozer' when it's a verb. → They will bulldoze (verb) the site. He is a bulldozer (noun).
Don't add the 'r' unless you are talking about the machine itself as a noun.

Tips

Think of the Machine

Whenever you use 'bulldoze,' visualize the big yellow tractor. If the action you're describing isn't that forceful or 'flat,' maybe choose a different word like 'push' or 'nudge.'

Use for Criticism

In professional settings, use 'bulldoze' when you want to criticize someone for being too aggressive. It's a strong word that highlights their lack of teamwork.

Always have an Object

Remember that 'bulldoze' is transitive. You can't just 'bulldoze'—you have to bulldoze *something*. Make sure your sentence includes what is being pushed or destroyed.

Pair with 'Through'

To sound more natural, use 'bulldoze through' when describing moving past obstacles. It adds a sense of momentum to your writing.

Watch the Formality

While 'bulldoze' is fine in news, it might be a bit too vivid for a very formal legal document unless you are specifically referring to the destruction of property.

Remember the Bull

The 'bull' part of the word reminds you of the strength and stubbornness involved. A bull doesn't ask for permission; it just charges.

Passive Voice

Use the passive voice ('was bulldozed') when you want to emphasize the victim or the thing that was lost, rather than the person who did it.

Compare with Steamroll

If the action is more about a slow, inevitable process, use 'steamroll.' If it's more about a sudden, aggressive push, use 'bulldoze.'

Intellectual Use

You can use 'bulldoze' to describe solving a complex problem by ignoring the small details and focusing on the main goal. This can be either a compliment or a criticism.

Create Vivid Imagery

In creative writing, use 'bulldoze' to describe natural disasters like mudslides or storms to give them a sense of mechanical, unfeeling power.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a BULL that is so strong it doesn't need to sleep (DOZE); it just pushes everything out of its way.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant yellow tractor crushing a small, fragile toy house. The power is overwhelming and the destruction is total.

Word Web

tractor force demolish flatten intimidate push construction aggression

Challenge

Try to use 'bulldoze' in three different ways: one about a machine, one about a person being bossy, and one about a storm or natural force.

Word Origin

The word 'bulldoze' originated in the United States in the late 19th century (around the 1870s). It was originally used in a political context, particularly in the Southern states.

Original meaning: It originally meant to intimidate or coerce someone, often through a 'bull-dose'—literally a dose of the whip (a 'bull-whip')—to influence their vote.

English (American origin).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'bulldoze' to describe people in some cultures, as it can be a strong insult suggesting they are unrefined or brutal.

The term is very common in American and British political journalism to describe aggressive legislative tactics.

The opening scene of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' involves Arthur Dent trying to stop a bulldozer from destroying his house. The 'Killdozer' incident in 2004, where a man used a modified bulldozer to demolish buildings in a Colorado town. Numerous protest songs about 'bulldozing the forest' or 'bulldozing our homes'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Construction Site

clear the site
level the ground
demolish the ruins
heavy machinery

Business Meeting

force a decision
ignore objections
dominate the discussion
aggressive tactics

Sports

power through
break the line
physical dominance
unstoppable force

Politics

push through legislation
silence the opposition
unilateral action
executive power

Environment

habitat destruction
deforestation
urban sprawl
land clearing

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever seen a building being bulldozed in your neighborhood?"

"Do you think it's okay for a manager to bulldoze their team to get results?"

"How would you react if someone tried to bulldoze you into a decision?"

"Should historic buildings be protected from being bulldozed for modern ones?"

"Can you think of a famous person who is known for bulldozing their way to success?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when you felt someone was trying to bulldoze you. How did you handle it?

If you could bulldoze one thing in the world to start fresh, what would it be and why?

Write about the pros and cons of bulldozing old urban areas for new developments.

Reflect on a situation where you might have bulldozed over someone else's feelings. What would you do differently?

Imagine you are a bulldozer operator. Describe a day at work and the things you have to clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not necessarily. In construction, it is a neutral technical term. In sports, it can be a positive description of a player's strength. However, when describing social behavior, it is usually negative, implying a lack of respect for others.

Yes, it is often used in sports or crowds to describe pushing someone out of the way. 'He bulldozed the defender to score.' In non-sports contexts, it would imply a very violent or aggressive act.

A bulldozer is the noun (the machine itself). Bulldozing is the gerund or present participle, referring to the act of using the machine or acting in a similar way.

It is less common for emotions themselves but can be used for how one treats emotions. 'He bulldozed over her feelings' means he ignored them forcefully.

Yes, it is widely used in all major varieties of English, including British, American, and Australian English.

Yes, in a figurative sense. It means to force a law through the legislative process without proper debate. 'They bulldozed the bill through the Senate.'

It means to aggressively ignore or bypass complicated bureaucratic rules and procedures to achieve a result quickly.

The most common noun is 'bulldozing.' For example: 'The bulldozing of the forest caused a public outcry.'

No! This is a common mistake. 'Doze' means to sleep lightly, but 'bulldoze' has nothing to do with sleeping. It is purely about force and demolition.

A 'collaborative,' 'diplomatic,' or 'conciliatory' personality would be the opposite, as these involve listening and working with others.