bullying

1 of 2

noun

bul·​ly·​ing ˈbu̇-lē-iŋ 

ˈbə-

: abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone stronger, more powerful, etc. : the actions and behavior of a bully

Her own childhood had been made miserable by bullying …

—Michael Holroyd

… underestimates the plain meanness behind the pleasure people take in bullying.

—George F. Will

bullying

2 of 2

adjective

: prone to or characterized by overbearing mistreatment and domination of others

… dominated the program but did so in a bullying manner that made him appear crabbier and more churlish than ever.

—Tom Shales

At his worst, he was just another loud, boorish, bullying … drunk …

—Bartholomew Gill

The bullying husband is … living out a way of being that he learned at home as a child.

—Robert Karen

Examples of bullying in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Beyond the classroom stress, students at schools may face bullying and other social dynamics that negatively impact their mental health. —Jennifer Huddleston, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026

According to The New York Times, Kanarek also claimed Barisone tried to evict her and Goodwin, and both parties accused each other of bullying. —Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Sunday, to raise money for the anti-bullying and suicide prevention nonprofit NVEEE (National Voices for Equality, Education and Enlightenment). —Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026

The Carlsbad City Council approved an anti-bullying resolution Tuesday in response to a recent assault of a middle-school Black girl by a group of school kids at Poinsettia Park. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1742, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1746, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bullying

• cyberbullying

Legal Definition

bullying

noun

bul·​ly·​ing

ˈbu̇-lē-iŋ, bə-

: acts or written or spoken words intended to intimidate or harass a person or to cause physical harm to a person or his or her property see also cyberbullying

Note: The statutory language used to describe what constitutes bullying differs from state to state.