ROUGHSHOD

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does roughshod mean? 

• ROUGHSHOD (adjective)
  The adjective ROUGHSHOD has 3 senses:

1. (of a horse) having horseshoes with projecting nails to prevent slipping

2. (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

3. unjustly domineering

  Familiarity information: ROUGHSHOD used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ROUGHSHOD (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(of a horse) having horseshoes with projecting nails to prevent slipping

Similar:

shod; shodden; shoed (wearing footgear)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

Synonyms:

barbarous; brutal; cruel; fell; roughshod; savage; vicious

Context example:

vicious kicks

Similar:

inhumane (lacking and reflecting lack of pity or compassion)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Unjustly domineering

Synonyms:

heavy-handed; roughshod

Context example:

a manager who rode roughshod over all opposition

Similar:

domineering (tending to domineer)

 Context examples 

He's so absent-minded and goodnatured, he lets those boys ride over him roughshod.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)