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
But it’s really become this divisive platform where some people use it to bully. Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2025 As the journey unfolds, the bullies are the same, the victims are new, and the shadow of the dead pupil looms over them all. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
Almost 20 pounds heavier than Hall, Allen will bully defenses up the middle and cut into Hall’s usage. Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2025 So, thank you for bullying me into getting surgical hair replacement. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bully
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bully
Adjective
  • There is no greater disparity in the polls than the Sooners checking in at No. 18 in the AP and being the best of the rest among the coaches who voted.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • By many measures, Alonso was already the greatest home run hitter in Mets history.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Peace isn’t easy to come by, though the motorcycle thugs who swing by to bully the locals and squeeze money out of the businesses don’t offer much resistance.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
  • As the ship prepared to leave port, the G men arrived, handcuffed the thug and dragged him away.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • He has never been accused of wrongdoing by any of the women who say Epstein abused them.
    Jenna Sundel Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Her story was part of Key Biscayne’s Dark Secret, a Herald investigation published last year that revealed her story and those of two other girls who also said they were abused.
    Ana Claudia Chacin, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • If you're intimidated by orange, Dior's Rouge Dior Lipstick in 200 Nude Touch is a great starter shade with a beautiful warm undertone, as is Fenty Beauty's Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Noodz & Dudez.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Following his arrest, law enforcement learned that Reardon called the Israeli Consulate in Boston 98 times between Oct. 7, 2023 and Jan. 29, 2024, and made harassing and intimidating statements.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Temuera Morrison plays a terrific villain as the murderous King Kahekili.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • While much of that is thanks to an explosive offense that features Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, the Ravens also have some terrific players on the defensive side of the ball, which should not come as much of a surprise given their history.
    Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Citizens are trained to report anyone who might be an enemy of the regime, including family members.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Our theme this year was the enemy within for the writers’ room.
    Giana Levy, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Temuera Morrison plays a terrific villain as the murderous King Kahekili.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Year: 2009 Director: Tony Scott Runtime: 1h 44m A remake of the 1974 subway-hijack thriller is inferior in just about every way, particularly with its villain, played by a way-too-jacked-up John Travolta.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In recent decades, the public has become more concerned about animal welfare and animal rights, so killing and mistreating shelter animals has become less acceptable.
    Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Goodman says women are the biggest fans, perhaps because throughout history they have been extraordinarily marginalized and mistreated by a lot of men.
    Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bully. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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