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

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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

In a statement delivered by right-wing outlet One America News Network on Friday, Skinner accused her Olympic teammate of bullying, while simultaneously expressing support for Gaines’ anti-transgender cause. —Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

When Brandi hobbled into the group on crutches, the Richards sisters saw a target to relive their Disney child-star bullying days; Lisa saw an unlikely ally and, if needed, a fall gal. —Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 11 June 2025

Adjective

The wide swath of no reports left at least one expert questioning whether local officials were clear on what kind of bullying needs to be reported under the state’s stringent anti-bullying law. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 27 May 2025

For instance, kids scored lower on standardized tests in schools with a lot of bullying than kids in schools with effective anti-bullying programs. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 31 July 2024

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.