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 models seemingly listen, empathize, joke, and, at times, bully, coerce and manipulate. Kevin Frazier, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025 Hilaria Baldwin says bullies are to blame for her sudden exit from Dancing With the Stars. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
But you don’t get bullied off the show. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025 Tallulah Willis celebrated her resemblance to her famous dad Bruce Willis while calling out adults who bullied her looks as a teenager. Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bully
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bully
Adjective
  • Given these complex three-way dynamics, Delhi will likely continue to upgrade ties to the Taliban regime, and support its efforts to gain greater independence from Pakistani influence.
    Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Reese had some great tunes for her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • All the while, Sarah is being hunted by corporate intimidators Dawson (Sam Worthington) and Rosetti (Willa Fitzgerald), who want to ensure her silence.
    EW.com, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In The Big Lebowski, thugs mistake the titular slacker (Bridges) for the wealthy Jeffrey Lebowski, sending him on a wild investigation with his pal Walter (John Goodman) into a ransom plot involving Lebowski’s young wife (Tara Reid).
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Girls were there and there were guys that were really extra on some thug, some goon sh*t.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Why this threat matters The Deep Research agent was designed to perform multistep research and summarize online data, but its wide access to third-party apps like Gmail, Google Drive and Dropbox also opened the door to abuse.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
  • He was hit with a massive $50,000 fine for verbally abusing officials back in 2023, and he was slapped with a $14,000 fine for a violent gesture during a game against the Buffalo Bills last season.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Alarr’s unwelcome physical touching made Plaintiff feel offended, uncomfortable, humiliated and intimidated.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Don’t let the size of this plant intimidate you.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But George has been terrific with us, putting him in different spots, different positions.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Boyd is a terrific guy, amazing actor, super sweet.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What to Do About Leaves Fallen leaves are a friend or an enemy to the home lawn, depending on how they are managed.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Only three of his 157 passes this year have wound up in enemy hands, which is not very promising for a 49ers defense that’s gone an NFL-record 13 straight games without an interception.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • She's been gone for over 20 years, and so to win this for a soap opera, playing a villain, is really wonderful.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Not to mention Elm Street introduced a villain for the ages in Freddy Krueger, an instant icon played by Robert Englund, whose charisma was strong enough to shine through even the thickest makeup.
    Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bully. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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