bullying

[bool-ee-ing]

noun

1. the act of harassing, intimidating, or abusing others, especially habitually or from a perceived position of relative power.

   Bullying and stress can impact students' experiences at school.

Other Word Forms

• unbullying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bullying¹

First recorded in 1675–85; bully ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Despite these bullying tactics and aggressive actions... we will not be intimidated or driven away," the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Read more on Barron's

“If you look at it one way, you see a bullying attempt by the administration to impose its will,” he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A short sharp negotiation in Egypt suits his brash, bullying style.

Read more on BBC

Greedy widows and bullying uncles are distracting you from the bigger picture, the ability to plan a life that you have always wanted.

Read more on MarketWatch

This viewer was concerned about the way “Boots” barks “attention!”—with a montage of Cam’s bullying at school and his rash decision to enlist with the straight Ray via the Marine Corps “buddy system.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• imperious