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. 2023
How to use bully in a sentence
In addition, 80% of parents said they’re worried about filters’ impact and two-thirds of teens said they’ve been bullied over how they look in photos.
Google takes aim at ‘beauty filters’ with design changes coming to Pixel phones | Sarah Perez | October 1, 2020 | TechCrunchWe feared that bullying behavior might continue and escalate into more serious abuse.
Teachers at schools and universities must be taught to handle situations pertaining to discrimination, harassment, and bullying any individual based on their gender, sexuality, or orientation.
The Rainbow Flag That Is Invisible To The Indian Society! | LGBTQ-Editor | July 2, 2020 | No Straight NewsThat’s what Roosevelt meant by calling the presidency a “bully pulpit” — that it was a great platform to get things done.
Does the President Matter as Much as You Think? (Ep. 404) | Stephen J. Dubner | February 6, 2020 | FreakonomicsAll previous presidents, I’m going to hazard, they used the bully pulpit to try to unify the country.
Does the President Matter as Much as You Think? (Ep. 404) | Stephen J. Dubner | February 6, 2020 | Freakonomics
How many Christian kids are bullied in school for being sissies or tomboys?
Do LGBTs Owe Christians an Olive Branch? Try The Other Way Around | Jay Michaelson | December 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn part of the book you discuss getting bullied in high school.
Portrait of the Austin Mahone as a Teen Idol | William O’Connor | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“NATO bullied us in Georgia and now they are doing the same again here, and we have to stop them,” says Alan.
Being bullied makes people internalize their feelings and beliefs.
‘Gods of Suburbia’: Dina Goldstein’s Arresting Photo Series on Religion vs. Consumerism | Dina Goldstein | November 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn cases such as a spate of recent suicides by adolescents who were bullied on Facebook, the perpetrators were well known.
Outed Madeleine McCann Troll Kills Herself. But Millions Live On Online. | Barbie Latza Nadeau | October 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTCircus life was exciting enough, but young David Lannarck was tired of being stared at and bullied because of his small size.
David Lannarck, Midget | George S. HarneyCustomers, the old merchant says, were often bullied into buying things they did not want.
Captains of Industry | James PartonBut it is a tough-fibred, stout-hearted breed of men, that has not accustomed itself to being bullied.
Thirty Years in Australia | Ada CambridgeIt's because the “aard-vark's” a Dutchman—a Cape boer—and the boers have been much bullied of late.
Popular Adventure Tales | Mayne ReidShe bullied him, and frightened him into silence when he began to find fault with her extravagances.
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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