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
He just wanted a bullier pulpit than a talk show from which to sound the alarm.
Putting Words in Gore Vidal’s Mouth—a Copywriter Recalls the 1982 Senate Campaign | Robert Chandler | August 6, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe “Bullier” orchestra will interest you; they play with a snap and fire and a tempo that is irresistible.
The Real Latin Quarter | F. Berkeley SmithIn this Friday gathering you will recognize dozens of faces which you have seen at the “Bal Bullier” and the cafés.
The Real Latin Quarter | F. Berkeley SmithI don't know; there may be bullier circuses than what that one was, but I never struck them yet.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Complete | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)The famous students dancing saloon known as bal Bullier was at this end of the boulevard from 1848 till a few years ago.
Historic Paris | Jetta S. Wolff
Senator Loyer offered his arm to her, with the graceful attitude that he had learned forty years before at Bullier's dancing-hall.
The Red Lily, Complete | Anatole France
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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