bully
1a blustering, mean, or predatory person who, from a perceived position of relative power, intimidates, abuses, harasses, or coerces people, especially those considered unlikely to defend themselves: playground bullies targeting children with disabilities;a workplace bully who cuts me off when I speak.
Archaic. a man hired to do violence.
Obsolete. a pimp; procurer.
Obsolete. a good friend; good fellow.
Obsolete. a sweetheart; darling.
to act the bully toward; habitually intimidate, abuse, or harass: The boy next door constantly bullies the younger children in the neighborhood.
to coerce or compel by bullying: The salesman bullied me into upgrading the car's paint protection and rust-proofing.
to act as a bully: People who bully are often very insecure.
Origin of bully
1Other words for bully
Other words from bully
- bul·ly·a·ble, adjective
- un·bul·lied, adjective
- un·bul·ly·ing, adjective
Other definitions for bully (2 of 4)
of or relating to a pit bull or bulldog: The shelter has a number of bully breed mix puppies available for adoption.
Origin of bully
2Other definitions for bully (3 of 4)
Origin of bully
3Other definitions for bully (4 of 4)
Soccer. a desperate, freewheeling scramble for the ball by a number of players, usually in the goal area.
Field Hockey. a method of putting the ball into play in which two opponents, facing each other, tap their sticks on the ground near the ball and then make contact with each other's sticks over the ball three times, after which each tries to gain possession of the ball.
Origin of bully
4Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use bully in a sentence
A police officer was a person who would help a 74-year-old woman cross the street, not bully her and lie about it.
She said she shared her girls’ bullying experiences with teachers, the principal, school board members and the parent teacher association and was blown off for years.
‘Educate, Not Indoctrinate’: Anti-Racism Push in Coronado Schools Fuels Backlash | Ashly McGlone | August 18, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoUnfortunately, there are lots powerful people who are sometimes the subject of critical journalism who basically try to take advantage of that and bully independent writers and journalists.
‘People want to take back their mind’: Substack CEO Chris Best on the growing appetite for paid newsletters | Pierre Bienaimé | August 18, 2020 | DigidayStaff told investigators Carson was a bully who angers easily, used intimidation and made everyday tasks harder – especially for women, according to the investigation.
Accusations Flew, Then National School District Official Got Paid to Resign | Ashly McGlone | July 20, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoSome marketers have felt bullied by the giant platform, with top Facebook executives going over their heads to company leadership with the basic message that the marketers aren’t doing their job right because they’re not spending enough on Facebook.
Removing choice is bullying and seems a horrid basis on which to anchor your relationship.
In light of the Michael Brown shooting, others have come forward to share their own stories of bullying, and harassment by police.
He recounts to her the bullying he receives at school, with classmates spitting on him as he walks down the halls.
‘To Russia With Love’: Can Johnny Weir Save Russia’s Gays? | Kevin Fallon | October 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut The Source was also starting to develop a bullying reputation within the industry.
It Was All a Dream: Drama, Bullshit, and the Rebirth of The Source Magazine | Alex Suskind | October 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“No” campaigners and journalists have reported bullying and intimidation.
It is a far better and braver thing to bear bullying with such a mixture of spirit and good-humour, as in time to disarm it.
Eric, or Little by Little | Frederic W. FarrarEven Hamper wi' all his bullying, would ha' waited a while—but it's a word and a blow wi' Thornton.
North and South | Elizabeth Cleghorn GaskellIt would have been as reasonable to censure an ordinary person for breathing as to censure Mr. Slosson for bullying.
The Regent | E. Arnold BennettWhen such coercion took the form of open and undisguised bullying, to submit was impolitic.
The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley | Bertram Mitford"I've already come across, Chief," replied Larry, trying to keep his temper in the face of the other's bullying manner.
Children of the Whirlwind | Leroy Scott
British Dictionary definitions for bully (1 of 2)
/ (ˈbʊlɪ) /
a person who hurts, persecutes, or intimidates weaker people
archaic a hired ruffian
obsolete a procurer; pimp
obsolete a fine fellow or friend
obsolete a sweetheart; darling
(when tr , often foll by into) to hurt, intimidate, or persecute (a weaker or smaller person), esp to make him do something
dashing; jolly: my bully boy
informal very good; fine
Also: bully for you informal well done! bravo!
Origin of bully
1British Dictionary definitions for bully (2 of 2)
/ (ˈbʊlɪ) /
any of various small freshwater fishes of the genera Gobiomorphus and Philynodon of New Zealand: Also called (NZ): pakoko, titarakura, toitoi
Origin of bully
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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