bulldoze

/ˈbʊldəʊz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbʊldəʊz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbu̇l-ˌdōz also ˈbəl-/ (ame, mw)

bulldoze — verb

  • bulldozepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • bulldozeshe / she / it
  • bulldozedpast simple
  • bulldozing-ing form

1. to knock down buildings, trees, or similar things by pushing over them with a bu

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to knock down buildings, trees, or similar things by pushing over them with a bulldozer until the ground is even.

例句

The city bulldozed the empty warehouse before building a new bus station.

bulldoze + building before redevelopment

After the fire, crews bulldozed the damaged shops along the river road.

同義詞
  • demolish

    focuses on knocking a structure down, without the pushing-and-leveling image

  • level

    stresses leaving something flat after it is destroyed

  • clear

    broader and can include removing things without heavy machines

反義詞
  • build

    creates a structure instead of knocking one down

  • preserve

    keeps a place standing rather than clearing it away

文法句型

bulldoze + building/site/trees

用法筆記

Usually takes buildings, roadsides, trees, or whole sites as its object. The emphasis is on clearing by heavy pushing, not on slowly taking something apart piece by piece.

常見錯誤

❌The storm bulldozed the bridge.
✅The crew bulldozed the old bridge.
💡bulldoze usually implies deliberate clearing by people or machines, not damage caused by weather.

2. to push someone so hard with demands or threats that they finally do what you wa

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to push someone so hard with demands or threats that they finally do what you want.

例句

The chair tried to bulldoze the committee into approving the budget.

bulldoze + group + into + -ing

Anong refused to be bulldozed into signing the contract that night.

passive: be bulldozed into + -ing

同義詞
  • coerce

    more formal and often suggests threats or pressure behind the action

  • strong-arm

    informal and emphasizes tough, intimidating tactics

  • bully

    broader and can describe repeated aggressive behavior, not just one forced result

反義詞
  • persuade

    wins agreement by reasons or appeal rather than pressure

  • consult

    asks for other people's views instead of forcing them

文法句型

bulldoze + person/group + into + -ing

be bulldozed into + -ing

用法筆記

The object is usually a person or group that is resisting, and the pattern often uses into + -ing. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about rough movement or forcing something past a barrier.

常見錯誤

❌She bulldozed her boss that the rule was unfair.
✅She bulldozed her boss into changing the rule.
💡this sense usually shows the person being pressured, often with 'into + -ing'.

3. to move or push something forward in a rough, unstoppable way by crashing past p

3.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to move or push something forward in a rough, unstoppable way by crashing past people, barriers, or opposition.

例句

Rachid bulldozed through the crowd and reached the train doors first.

bulldoze through + crowd

The minister bulldozed the bill through parliament before critics could respond.

bulldoze + bill + through

同義詞
  • barge

    often focuses on rude movement into a place, especially by a person

  • ram through

    stresses forcing a plan or decision ahead despite objections

  • shove through

    less vivid, but also suggests rough pushing past resistance

反義詞
  • edge through

    suggests moving carefully through a tight space

  • hold back

    means stopping or slowing instead of forcing ahead

文法句型

bulldoze through + crowd/barrier/opposition

bulldoze into + place

bulldoze + bill/plan + through

用法筆記

Often followed by through or into to show what is being pushed past. Distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on making someone give in rather than breaking through a barrier.

常見錯誤

❌He bulldozed to the gate.
✅He bulldozed through the crowd to the gate.
💡this sense usually names the people, barrier, or process that is forced through.