bully

[ bool-ee ]

/ ˈbʊl i /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: bully / bullied / bullier / bulliest on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural bul·lies.

a 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.

verb (used with object), bul·lied, bul·ly·ing.

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.

verb (used without object), bul·lied, bul·ly·ing.

to act as a bully: People who bully are often very insecure.

adjective

Informal: Older Use. fine; excellent; very good: What a bully meal!

Archaic. dashing; jovial; high-spirited.

interjection

Informal. good! well done!: If your bus commute saves you time and gets you to work on time, well bully for you!

OTHER WORDS FOR bully

6 cow, browbeat; terrorize, tyrannize.

See synonyms for bully on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of bully

First recorded in 1530–40; from Middle Dutch boele “lover”

OTHER WORDS FROM bully

bul·ly·a·ble, adjectiveun·bul·lied, adjectiveun·bul·ly·ing, adjective

Other definitions for bully (2 of 4)

bully²

[ bool-ee ]

/ ˈbʊl i /

adjective

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

First recorded in 1880–85; bull(dog) + -y¹

Other definitions for bully (3 of 4)

bully³

[ bool-ee ]

/ ˈbʊl i /

noun

bully beef.

Origin of bully

First recorded in 1750–55; from French bouilli, short for boeuf bouilli “boiled meat”; see origin at boil¹, beef

Other definitions for bully (4 of 4)

bully⁴

[ bool-ee ]

/ ˈbʊl i /

noun, plural bul·lies.

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

⁴

First recorded in 1860–65; of obscure origin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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.
An Officer’s Word Shouldn’t Be the Last Word|Andrew Taylor|August 19, 2020|Voice of San Diego
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 Diego
Unfortunately, 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|Digiday
Staff 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 Diego

Some 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.
Facebook in the age of revolt|Brian Morrissey|July 10, 2020|Digiday
Removing choice is bullying and seems a horrid basis on which to anchor your relationship.
Public Marriage Proposals Must Die|Tauriq Moosa|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In light of the Michael Brown shooting, others have come forward to share their own stories of bullying, and harassment by police.
Are College Educated Police Safer?|Keli Goff|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
But 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|DAILY BEAST
“No” campaigners and journalists have reported bullying and intimidation.
Scots Must Choose Heart or Head|Nico Hines|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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. Farrar
Even 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 Gaskell
It would have been as reasonable to censure an ordinary person for breathing as to censure Mr. Slosson for bullying.
The Regent|E. Arnold Bennett
When 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)

bully¹

/ (ˈbʊlɪ) /

noun plural -lies

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

verb -lies, -lying or -lied

(when tr , often foll by into) to hurt, intimidate, or persecute (a weaker or smaller person), esp to make him do something

adjective

dashing; jollymy bully boy

informal very good; fine

interjection

Also: bully for you informal well done! bravo!

Word Origin for bully

C16 (in the sense: sweetheart, hence fine fellow, hence swaggering coward): probably from Middle Dutch boele lover, from Middle High German buole, perhaps childish variant of bruoder brother

British Dictionary definitions for bully (2 of 2)

bully²

/ (ˈbʊlɪ) /

noun plural -lies

any of various small freshwater fishes of the genera Gobiomorphus and Philynodon of New ZealandAlso called (NZ): pakoko, titarakura, toitoi

Word Origin for bully

C20: short for cockabully

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

bully

OTHER WORDS FOR bully

Origin of bully

OTHER WORDS FROM bully

Other definitions for bully (2 of 4)

Origin of bully

Other definitions for bully (3 of 4)

Origin of bully

Other definitions for bully (4 of 4)

Origin of bully

Words related to bully

How to use bully in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bully (1 of 2)

Word Origin for bully

British Dictionary definitions for bully (2 of 2)

Word Origin for bully