bully

1 of 4

noun (1)

bul·​ly ˈbu̇-lē How to pronounce bully (audio)
ˈbə-
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
archaic
b
: a fine chap

bully

2 of 4

verb

bullied; bullying

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to use language or behavior that is cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive

bully

3 of 4

adjective

1
: excellent
often used in interjectional expressions
bully for you
2
: resembling or characteristic of a bully
his bully tricks

bully

4 of 4

noun (2)

food : pickled or canned usually corned beef

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.

Choose the Right Synonym for bully

intimidate, cow, bulldoze, bully, browbeat mean to frighten into submission.

intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

Examples of bully in a Sentence

Noun (1) the school has a procedure for students who want to report problems with bullies the local loan shark and his bullies have ways of making people pay up 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
His arms are often folded, his eyes piercing, like a bully posted on a brick wall waiting for the final school bell to ring. James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 Charlotte O’Brien died in September, followed by Ella Catley-Crawford – both were 12, and their families say they were targeted by bullies who taunted them through Snapchat. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 23 Nov. 2024
Verb
Philadelphia has adopted a bullying identity on both sides of the ball and done it without rolling up big turnover or penalty totals. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024 Deadly bullying In recent months, two more young girls have joined a growing list of children who have taken their own lives after allegations of online bullying. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bully 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1), Verb, and Adjective

probably from Middle Dutch boele lover; akin to Middle Low German bōle lover, Middle High German buole

Noun (2)

probably modification of French (bœuf) boulli boiled beef

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1548, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb

1685, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bully was circa 1548

Dictionary Entries Near bully

Cite this Entry

“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bully. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bully

1 of 2 noun
bul·​ly ˈbu̇l-ē How to pronounce bully (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on bully

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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