as in great
of the very best kind
that's a bully idea for reviving the town's retail center
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in intimidator
a person who teases, threatens, or hurts smaller, weaker, or more vulnerable persons
the school has a procedure for students who want to report problems with bullies
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in thug
a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang
the local loan shark and his bullies have ways of making people pay up
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to abuse
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
the kindergarten teacher explained why it was wrong to bully classmates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to intimidate
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
the manager was fired for bullying employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
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
-
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
-
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
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
-
After the show premiered, actress Amber Dixon Brenner alleged in a lawsuit that Akil’s husband, Salim, had abused her over the course of their previously unknown, decade-long extramarital affair.—
Jazmine Hughes,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
-
In an August 2020 filing, Sura, said Abrego Garcia had kicked and slapped her, as well as verbally abused her.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 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
-
However, many Americans feel intimidated by the technology.—
Nikolaus Kimla,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Gustavsson was terrific, stopping 23 of 25 shots to give the Wild a chance.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
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
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
-
All Cherry Mary wants is to pass her Commercial Driver’s License test and become a trucker — but after her family’s criminal enterprise makes the wrong enemies, when the test starts, the trouble begins.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
The Grizzlies were a gritty team by nature, and Brooks was indeed a villain.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
Like in Good American Family, Michael said he was manipulated and mistreated by Kristine.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
After clashing with his first commissioner, Mark G. Peters, Mr. de Blasio fired him, citing a report by an independent investigator that said Mr. Peters had abused his power and mistreated subordinates.—
Jan Ransom,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bully. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share