steps on
Treads upon heavily
Steps on primarily means to place one's foot on something, often accidentally or carelessly: I stepped on a piece of glass, Don't step on the flowers.
The phrase extends to metaphorical trampling—to step on someone's toes is to encroach on their territory or offend them.
To step on someone's lines (in theater) is to speak over them.
In slang, to step on drugs is to dilute them with cheaper substances before selling.
Defeats through greater strength
- crushesCompresses with force
- suppressesActively prevents expression
- subjugatesBrings under complete control
- dominatesExerts supreme control
tramples · oppresses · bulldozes · steamrolls · silences · marginalizes · overrides · dismisses
Disparaging remarks
- disrespectsShows lack of regard
- slightsMinor deliberate offenses
- snubsIntentional social rejections
- offendsCauses displeasure or resentment
wounds · hurts · crosses · affronts · antagonizes · provokes · upsets · bothers
Outer tire surfaces
- stompsSteps hard and loud
- tramplesCrushes by stepping
- crushesCompresses with force
- squashesCrushes or autumn gourds
flattens · presses · stands on · crunches · mashes · grinds · stubs · kicks
Gradually intrudes on boundaries
- infringesBreaches established limits
- intrudesEnters uninvited
- trespassesUnlawful entries onto property
- overstepsGoes past boundaries
overpowers
Defeats through greater strength
- crushesCompresses with force
- suppressesActively prevents expression
- subjugatesBrings under complete control
dominates · tramples · oppresses · bulldozes · steamrolls · silences · marginalizes · overrides · dismisses · disregards
insults
Disparaging remarks
- disrespectsShows lack of regard
- slightsMinor deliberate offenses
- snubsIntentional social rejections
offends · wounds · hurts · crosses · affronts · antagonizes · provokes · upsets · bothers · irritates
treads
Outer tire surfaces
squashes · flattens · presses · stands on · crunches · mashes · grinds · stubs · kicks
encroaches
Gradually intrudes on boundaries
- infringesBreaches established limits
- intrudesEnters uninvited
- trespassesUnlawful entries onto property