as in browbeating
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as in coercion
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in abusing
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 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.
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Recent Examples of bullying
Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
The Carlsbad City Council approved an anti-bullying resolution Tuesday in response to a recent assault of a middle-school Black girl by a group of school kids at Poinsettia Park.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Online bullying of the cast in previous seasons has warranted comment from Love Island USA, and even prompted a precautionary warning this season.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 1 June 2026
The student who was injured was subjected to other instances of bullying before the assault on May 7, according to the lawsuit filed by Mollie and Boston Mallory, the plaintiff’s attorneys.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bullying
Adjective
Sunday, to raise money for the anti-bullying and suicide prevention nonprofit NVEEE (National Voices for Equality, Education and Enlightenment).
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
The Carlsbad City Council approved an anti-bullying resolution Tuesday in response to a recent assault of a middle-school Black girl by a group of school kids at Poinsettia Park.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
Board member Melanie Freeman requested a discussion about bathroom policies generally, citing concerns about vaping, bullying and student supervision in school bathrooms.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
Online bullying of the cast in previous seasons has warranted comment from Love Island USA, and even prompted a precautionary warning this season.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Verb
The majority of teachers and principals, 80%, said the cellphone ban helped foster social connections among students, and 60% reported a decline in bullying both in person and online.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 1 June 2026
The student who was injured was subjected to other instances of bullying before the assault on May 7, according to the lawsuit filed by Mollie and Boston Mallory, the plaintiff’s attorneys.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bullying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bullying
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
-
One quick concluding note: Like Bad Sisters, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast has what feels to me like a pretty resolved (and effective) ending, especially given the amount of time Saoirse spends in the finale talking about the difficulties of writing endings for TV.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That echoes findings of a delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which visited Yerevan in May and said foreign interference included illicit political financing, cyberattacks, economic coercion and direct attempts to manipulate the electoral process.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
Grooming, coercion and economic dependence unfold over time, often long before any event occurs.—
Jennifer E. O'Brien,
The Conversation,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Tom accuses me of physically abusing Nick Bilton.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
-
Lots of presidents have deported migrants who are here unlawfully, but Trump has made a show of sending some to a foreign prison notorious for abusing inmates.—
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
They are expected to be confident but not intimidating, ambitious but not self-promotional, collaborative but not passive, assertive but not aggressive.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Schumer declined to address the divisions in his caucus over Platner amid allegations of unsettling and intimidating behavior by past girlfriends.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
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
Noun
-
Misinformation spreads rapidly online, while voters increasingly worry about intimidation, administrative failures, and political interference in elections.—
Louie Sawi,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
-
Such orders are intended to prevent an individual from subjecting another person to acts of violence, intimidation or harassment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
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
Adjective
-
Just a Frisian meadow, monastic rhythm, and the instruction to listen to what stirs within you.—
Naomi May,
Air Mail,
30 May 2026
-
Maroon and golden monastic robes had replaced his usual hoodies and sweatpants.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bullying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bullying. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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