bullying

American  

[bool-ee-ing] / ˈbʊl i ɪŋ /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• unbullying adjective

Etymology

Origin of bullying

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

Explanation

Bullying is the act of intimidating someone else. Threatening to beat up your little brother if he doesn't clean your room for you is most certainly an act of bullying. You may have heard of the word bully, which is a person, often young, who harasses others. A schoolyard bully might call you names, steal your lunch money, and generally make your life miserable. Bullying is the act of being a bully. Believe it or not, bullying can be serious business with grave consequences. There are even laws that require schools to take action against bullying.

Example Sentences

But it found no evidence of "bullying" -- a charge that had been levelled at Harry by the organisation's chairperson, Sophie Chandauka, in March 2025.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The next day, Charlie and Emma begin discussing the circumstances that preceded her plan — depression, bullying, the black hole of the internet — before pausing for an appointment.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

Barrett, who recalled being a target for predators and online bullying, said her mother was aware of the problems it created but continued to share her daughter’s life on social media.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The study says issues around phones and social media use, whether that's bullying, arguments, or distractions to learning, still occur with those policies in place.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Maybe his pizza initiative would wipe out bullying and homework at Stirling Middle School.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

Related Words

• imperious