Meaning of tread down

1. The hiker carefully treaded down the steep mountain path.
2. The soldiers were ordered to tread down the enemy's defenses.
3. The heavy rain caused the muddy ground to be difficult to tread down.
4. Please be careful not to tread down the flowers in the garden.
5. The construction workers had to tread down the soil before laying the foundation.
6. The bullies tried to tread down the self-esteem of their victim with hurtful words.
7. The marathon runner felt the pain of each step as he treaded down the final stretch.
8. The dictator sought to tread down any opposition to his rule.
9. The dance instructor showed the students how to properly tread down the dance floor with grace.
10. The weight of the snow caused the tree branches to tread down, blocking the path.