plural bullies
1
a
: a blustering, browbeating person
especially
: one who is habitually cruel, insulting, or threatening to others who are weaker, smaller, or in some way vulnerable
tormented by the neighborhood bully
b
: pimp
2
: a hired ruffian
3
bullied; bullying
1
: to treat (someone) in a cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive fashion : to act like a bully toward
bullied her younger brother
2
: to cause (someone) to do something by means of force or coercion
was bullied into accepting their offer
: to use language or behavior that is cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive
Did you know?
Bully Wasn't Always Negative
The earliest meaning of English bully was “sweetheart.” The word was probably borrowed from Dutch boel, “lover.” Later bully was used for anyone who seemed a good fellow, then for a blustering daredevil. Today, a bully is usually one whose claims to strength and courage are based on the intimidation of those who are weaker.
Synonyms
Noun (1)
Verb
- abuse
- brutalize
- ill-treat
- ill-use
- kick around
- maltreat
- manhandle
- mess over [slang]
- mishandle
- mistreat
- misuse
Adjective
- A-OK
- A1
- awesome
- bang-up
- banner
- beautiful
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- boffo
- bonny [chiefly British]
- bonnie
- boss [slang]
- brag
- brave
- bumper
- capital
- choice
- classic
- cool [slang]
- corking
- crackerjack
- cracking
- dandy
- divine
- dope [slang]
- down [slang]
- dynamite
- excellent
- fab
- fabulous
- famous
- fantabulous [slang]
- fantastic
- fine
- first-class
- first-rate
- first-string
- five-star
- four-star
- frontline
- gangbusters
- gangbuster
- gilt-edged
- gilt-edge
- gone [slang]
- grand
- great
- groovy
- heavenly
- high-class
- hot
- hype [slang]
- immense
- jim-dandy
- keen
- lovely
- marvelous
- marvellous
- mean
- neat
- nifty
- noble
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- out-of-sight [slang]
- par excellence
- peachy
- peachy keen
- phat [slang]
- prime
- primo [slang]
- prize
- prizewinning
- quality
- radical [slang]
- righteous [slang]
- sensational
- slick
- splendid
- stellar
- sterling
- superb
- superior
- superlative
- supernal
- swell
- terrific
- tip-top
- top
- top-notch
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- topflight
- topping [chiefly British]
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
Examples of bully in a Sentence
Verb
He bullied his younger brothers.
the kindergarten teacher explained why it was wrong to bully classmates
Adjective
that's a bully idea for reviving the town's retail center
Recent Examples on the Web
Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
The entrepreneur also called out internet trolls and bullies who try to intimidate her and her family.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2024
Latham has a bully mentality and his premium physical traits and talent sets his ceiling at Pro-Bowl-caliber right tackle or guard.
20.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
According to the league's website, an exemplary Indy City Futbol player is one who is enthusiastic; has a positive and welcoming attitude to people from all backgrounds, religions, orientations and experiences; is teachable; and is willing to stand up to or alert the league to bullies and jerks.
—Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
The rescue canine, a Chihuahua, wiener dog and bully mix, won’t eat until he’s kissed on the forehead.
—Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024
There’s a sense of all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small being worthy of life, despite what the film’s resident bigots and bullies might think.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024
Judge says Kari Lake conceded defamation suit; discovery could still proceed on damages Fountain Hills sanctions 'bully' council member, orders him to get a chaperone GOP wants to scrap Arizona early voting.
—The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
Instead of standing up against international bullies, the U.S. abstained, allowing a despicable resolution to pass.
—The Editors, National Review, 26 Mar. 2024
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Apr. 2024
Just as Meghan is trying to relaunch herself as a lifestyle influencer, outlets in the U.K., Australia and the U.S. have reported on speculation that the palace staffers who claimed they were bullied might be ready to come forward, the New York Post reported.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
But she was bullied at the school, and after getting into a physical altercation with an older female student, Bonnie’s parents decided to pull her out and look for alternative options.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2024
Franklin will need to get stronger or NFL press corners will bully him and focus drops are part of the package.
68.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
But Dorothy doesn’t feel at home and is being bullied by her classmates.
—Maya Phillips, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
He was known for wearing his hair long in Lakota tradition and in two braids, seen as support for Native boys shamed and bullied for wearing braids.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024
My bad has been a little bit of bullying on the internet.
—Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Momofuku and Chang were accused of bullying mom-and-pop manufacturers that have ancestral connections to a spicy-oily-crispy condiment, often known as chili crisp or chili oil, which is popular in China and other Asian countries.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
And much of this content hails the shooters as these heroes or anti-heroes who are striking back against bullies.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
The entrepreneur also called out internet trolls and bullies who try to intimidate her and her family.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2024
Latham has a bully mentality and his premium physical traits and talent sets his ceiling at Pro-Bowl-caliber right tackle or guard.
20.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
According to the league's website, an exemplary Indy City Futbol player is one who is enthusiastic; has a positive and welcoming attitude to people from all backgrounds, religions, orientations and experiences; is teachable; and is willing to stand up to or alert the league to bullies and jerks.
—Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Apr. 2024
The rescue canine, a Chihuahua, wiener dog and bully mix, won’t eat until he’s kissed on the forehead.
—Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024
There’s a sense of all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small being worthy of life, despite what the film’s resident bigots and bullies might think.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024
Judge says Kari Lake conceded defamation suit; discovery could still proceed on damages Fountain Hills sanctions 'bully' council member, orders him to get a chaperone GOP wants to scrap Arizona early voting.
—The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
Instead of standing up against international bullies, the U.S. abstained, allowing a despicable resolution to pass.
—The Editors, National Review, 26 Mar. 2024
Verb
Earlier this week, Flavor Flav posted a video standing up for Jelly Roll after the country star’s wife, podcaster Bunnie XO, revealed that her husband had quit social media due to relentless bullying about his weight.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Apr. 2024
Just as Meghan is trying to relaunch herself as a lifestyle influencer, outlets in the U.K., Australia and the U.S. have reported on speculation that the palace staffers who claimed they were bullied might be ready to come forward, the New York Post reported.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
But she was bullied at the school, and after getting into a physical altercation with an older female student, Bonnie’s parents decided to pull her out and look for alternative options.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2024
Franklin will need to get stronger or NFL press corners will bully him and focus drops are part of the package.
68.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2024
But Dorothy doesn’t feel at home and is being bullied by her classmates.
—Maya Phillips, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
He was known for wearing his hair long in Lakota tradition and in two braids, seen as support for Native boys shamed and bullied for wearing braids.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024
My bad has been a little bit of bullying on the internet.
—Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Momofuku and Chang were accused of bullying mom-and-pop manufacturers that have ancestral connections to a spicy-oily-crispy condiment, often known as chili crisp or chili oil, which is popular in China and other Asian countries.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bully.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near bully
Cite this Entry
“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bully. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bully
1 of 2 noun
bul·ly
ˈbu̇l-ē 
plural bullies
: a person who purposely hurts, intimidates, threatens, or ridicules another usually more vulnerable person especially repeatedly
bully
2 of 2 verb
bullied; bullying
: to act like a bully toward
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