cyberbully

American  

[sahy-ber-bool-ee] / ˈsaɪ bərˌbʊl i /

verb (used with or without object)

cyberbullied, cyberbullying

1. to bully online by sending or posting mean, hurtful, or intimidating messages, usually anonymously.

   The 12-year-old had been cyberbullied for almost a year.

---

noun

cyberbullies plural

1. a person who does this.

Other Word Forms

• cyberbullying
  noun

Etymology

Origin of cyberbully

First recorded in 1990–95; cyber- + bully ¹

Example Sentences

John Legend is standing by his wife's, Chrissy Teigen, side as she takes responsibility for being a cyberbully in the past.

From Fox News • Jun. 16, 2021

CloutHub membership terms are clear, Brain said: “You don’t threaten people with harm. You don’t threaten property. ... You don’t cyberbully people. You don’t ‘cancel culture’ people.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2021

When asked about the irony of her remarks coming from someone married to the world’s preeminent cyberbully, the first lady’s spokesperson, Stephanie Grisham, attempted to brush it aside in a tweet.

From The Guardian • Aug. 21, 2018

Unfortunately, a cyberbully can easily post derogatory information about their victim, which has the ability to reach a wide spectrum of other individuals.

From Encyclopedia.com • Jun. 26, 2018

The death of a young woman and the disturbing poems of a cyberbully might be linked in Kay Scarpetta’s latest investigation.

From Washington Post • Nov. 23, 2016