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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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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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
An ice cream shop in Plainfield, Illinois, has launched an anti-bullying campaign after an incident with a customer. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 31 May 2026 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
Noun
What’s left is a modern tale of school bullying, with a Margaret who is both a zealot and also, thanks to Sloyan, much more human than in the past. — William Earl, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 Episodes would show Arthur and his friends navigating the everyday trials of childhood, tackling issues like friendship, bullying, school stress and family dynamics. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
Miss Benny, her costar, also got to know Firstman after bullying him. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026 Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro resigned Wednesday following an investigation into a complaint alleging the workplace culture under her leadership was oppressive, bullying and intimidating. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 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
  • This view helpfully shows key numbers (such as resolved requests, involvement rate, resolution rate) at the top, along with a funnel that visualizes visualizing how requests are resolved (with AI or humans).
    — Dianna Gunn, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
  • There's a difference between a closed ticket and a resolved issue.
    — Amit Mathradas, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of resolved
Noun
  • Religious coercion has contributed to the rise of militant liberalism among Iranians.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Often, smugglers are only engaged in the industry out of financial necessity or coercion.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of coercion
Verb
  • In an earlier episode, Pam confronts Grace’s mother about abusing her daughter and ends up bashing in the woman’s head with a meat tenderizer — which sounds like a pivotal moment but plays more like a side quest.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The former owner of several unlicensed North Texas boarding homes pleaded guilty Monday to financially abusing and fatally neglecting elderly and disabled people in her care, according to court filings.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of abusing
Verb
  • It’s long been intimidating for immigrants who suffered abuse to call 911, regardless of who was in the White House.
    — Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2026
  • And while cracking open an iPod will never not be intimidating, at least the Sprout doesn’t require any soldering.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidating
Adjective
  • But there is a certain ascetic simplicity to this labyrinthine heritage building that remains relatively unadorned.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of ascetic
Noun
  • The couple was charged last week with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit child abuse and witness intimidation.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Cases can be delayed with different tactics, including intimidation, corruption and procedural mistakes that can reduce charges or even lead to acquittals, said Carole Grace Mbarga, a Cameroonian rights activist.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 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
  • From ancient times, various monastic orders have followed a more expansive form of brahmacharya, one that restricts eight types of engagement with the opposite gender.
    — Bhakti Mamtora, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • But the units are monastic, at least by the standards of Nashville upperclassmen, who usually live in singles or in apartments off campus.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of monastic

Browse Nearby Words

bullyboys
bullying
bullyrag
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Cite this Entry

“Bullying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bullying. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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