bully 1 of 3

bully

2 of 3

noun

bully

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bully different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of bully are browbeat, bulldoze, cow, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

When could browbeat be used to replace bully?

While the synonyms browbeat and bully are close in meaning, browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bulldoze take the place of bully?

In some situations, the words bulldoze and bully are roughly equivalent. However, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When might cow be a better fit than bully?

The synonyms cow and bully are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When is it sensible to use intimidate instead of bully?

The words intimidate and bully can be used in similar contexts, but intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bully
Noun
The oldest and richest college in America wasn’t the first targeted by the White House, that was Columbia, but while Columbia bowed down to the bully, Harvard is resisting. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025 The tall and rangy Lincoln, strengthened by physical labor, was an expert wrestler who was not afraid of bullies. John Baldoni, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
Almost overnight, the United States went from competing with its aggressive adversaries to bullying its mild-mannered allies. Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 Without appropriate treatment, people with mild autism may feel excluded, rejected, or even bullied by others. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bully
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bully
Adjective
  • This is a great UFC Fight Night that will not disappoint; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Cancer, a disease that doesn’t discriminate and spares no one from its reach, has long been one of humanity’s greatest adversaries.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The story focuses on two figures, a school principal and a thug.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Resist this madness before the unhinged, heartless bully and his spellbound thugs shred our Constitution and our future.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Donald Trump is abusing the levers of government to launch an attack against New York Attorney General Tish James on what seem to be pretty flimsy claims of fraud.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The ways in which these attackers have abused Google’s email system clearly needs to be patched.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • During this protest, police intimidated and ultimately beat the strikers, resulting the death of at least six people, according to the American Postal Workers Union.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Trump critics are pointing to this as another attempt to undermine the judiciary by intimidating judges with threats of arrest.
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Possible wildcard: Lea Salonga, Peters’ castmate in the Sondheim revue, turns in a terrific Everything’s Coming Up Roses.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Catcher Landon Hodge is terrific defensively and first baseman Josh Stonehouse has supplied surprising power.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Volunteer historians and re-enactors will share living history of a small portion of Napoleon’s French Grande Army and the empire’s enemies, Britain, Austria, Prussia and their allies, on campaign in Spain.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
  • Dog Man must then foil the evil plans of his enemy, Petey, an orange cat (voiced by Pete Davidson), who clones himself in an effort to create a criminal sidekick but ends up with a curious kitten, Li’l Petey (Lucas Hopkins Calderon) instead.
    Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Grizzlies were a gritty team by nature, and Brooks was indeed a villain.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • With its ability to grow through asphalt and structural material, survive up to 20 years in total darkness and uproot the foundation of homes, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) could be the villain in a horror movie.
    Martha Proctor, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Behind her glamorous exterior, the real Dorothy was a closeted lesbian who struggled with substance abuse and was mistreated by the men within Hollywood’s studio system before ultimately committing suicide.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 17 Apr. 2025
  • English, who denies the allegations, is at least the second state legislator to be investigated for allegedly mistreating aides in the past year.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bully. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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