bullying 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bullyingnext
as in browbeating

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bullying

2 of 3

noun

as in coercion

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Dissimilar Words

bullying

3 of 3

verb

present participle of bully
1
as in abusing
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon the kindergarten teacher explained why it was wrong to bully classmates

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intimidating
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats the manager was fired for bullying employees

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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 bullying
Adjective
In recent years, Lewinsky has reemerged in the public eye, becoming an anti-bullying advocate and public speaker. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026 The district maintains an anti-bullying policy outlined in its student handbook. — Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
As Cady becomes increasingly caught up in their world, the comedy explores themes of bullying and the desire to fit in — issues Lohan says remain just as timely today. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 The figure was disclosed in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by Deadline, which also revealed that the BBC was probing a further four cases of bullying and harassment, taking the total tally of live investigations to nine. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 June 2026
Verb
Conquerors and autocrats may win the immediate battle by bullying their subjects into submission, but their empires inevitably crumble the moment their iron grip falters. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026 Ricci requested that documents containing the text messages between Freddie and his dad be sealed, citing bullying that her son had endured at his school. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bullying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bullying
  1. resolved
  2. coercion
  3. abusing
  4. intimidating
  5. ascetic
  6. intimidation
  7. frightening
  8. monastic
Adjective
  • Lebanon’s fragile sovereignty The lack of resolved borders and Israel’s periodic incursions into southern Lebanon have predictably meant that Lebanon has struggled to assert sovereignty over its own territory.
    — Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
  • What frustrated her most was that the issue refused to stay resolved.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Definition of resolved
Noun
  • Thus, Oreshnik functions more as an instrument of strategic coercion, creating uncertainty in Western capitals, rather than achieving decisive battlefield gains.
    — David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • The key risk lies not in policy convergence but in setting precedents that blur the boundaries between law enforcement, coercion and commerce.
    — John Calabrese, The Conversation, 6 July 2026
Definition of coercion
Verb
  • Four people represented by the ACLU of Tennessee filed a lawsuit in May accusing the task force of abusing the law to block them from documenting officers’ actions, sometimes ordering them to stay more than 100 feet away from arrest scenes.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
  • Two Miami-Dade church camp counselors were arrested Wednesday for allegedly abusing a 9-year-old boy by placing large orange cones over his head and repeatedly hitting him, according to the sheriff’s office.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
Definition of abusing
Verb
  • The young boy’s biggest concern is staying out of the crosshairs of Calavera (Mauro Guzmán), the neighborhood bully who seems destined to follow the same path as his intimidating older brother, Felix (Cosmo Gonzalez).
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026
  • Sangha said that gangsters intimidating immigrants in the Central Valley is far more prevalent than reported.
    — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of intimidating
Adjective
  • Once inside, warm, tropical breezes flow into the hotel’s ascetic, nevertheless grand lobby, wafting you towards a magical cloister filled with plants and robust Botero sculptures.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
  • Grothendieck was intense and ascetic from his early days.
    — Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 20 May 2026
Definition of ascetic
Noun
  • The most detailed allegations came from a woman named Lyndsey Fifield, who reported controlling behaviors, frequent displays of rage, threats of violence and self-harm, emotional intimidation and physical abuse.
    — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2026
  • In recent months, police have banned public meetings, arrested and detained some critics of the reforms, while others have alleged harassment and intimidation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of intimidation
Verb
  • Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.
    — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • Ryushin, the Buddhist monk at the center of Crows Are White was keeping his identity private until completing his monastic training.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 July 2026
  • His new life was an intense crucible of monastic discipline, complex logic, and rote memorization.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of monastic

Browse Nearby Words

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bullying
bullyrag
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Cite this Entry

“Bullying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bullying. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bullying for Spanish Speakers

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