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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in browbeating
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in coercion
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bullying
Heather Knight, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 May 2021
That's why experts say more anti-bullying intervention is needed – from both parents and schools.
—Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2023
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025
Ahead of the season premiere, Prime Video shared a message prohibiting any bullying or hate speech directed at the cast or crew.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 Aug. 2025
Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2024
Providing bursts of energy by chasing balls out of bounds and bullying her wait into the paint for rebounds, the 5-9 freshman provided versatility not in the box score.
—Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bullying
Verb
Before her time on the board, Collins, who has a master’s in education, worked several short stints in SFUSD and at nonprofit organizations, focusing on anti-bullying programs, curriculum design, peer tutoring and parent engagement, according to her LinkedIn profile.
—Heather Knight, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 May 2021
That's why experts say more anti-bullying intervention is needed – from both parents and schools.
—Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2023
Adjective
In a Friday morning press conference in Orlando, both men tried to justify their bullying behavior with rambling speeches portraying all people in this country illegally as real threats for criminal activity and violence.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025
Ahead of the season premiere, Prime Video shared a message prohibiting any bullying or hate speech directed at the cast or crew.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
Democrats have rallied to McBride’s defense, accusing Republicans of bullying McBride and attacking other LGBTQ+ people who work at and visit the Capitol.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2024
Providing bursts of energy by chasing balls out of bounds and bullying her wait into the paint for rebounds, the 5-9 freshman provided versatility not in the box score.
—Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bullying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bullying
Verb
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Relapse is alluring, Bart is intimidating, and Son is mysterious.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
-
While the market’s recent volatility can be intimidating, experts generally recommend investors focus on their long-term goals.—
Ana Teresa Solá,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In Monday’s order, the court stressed extensive evidence of Combs assaulting two former long-term girlfriends, among other things indicating his inclination toward violence, coercion and subjugation.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Margo is a magnetic queen bee, a woman who runs her social circle through a mixture of coercion and seduction, and Sophie’s immediately drawn to her.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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In fact, the ascetic value of fasting from meat required that the person otherwise enjoy it.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Aug. 2025
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Greens embodied the ascetic lushness of the farm-to-table movement, which, in Northern California, was synonymous with the Berkeley restaurant Chez Panisse.—
John Birdsall,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
Noun
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The goal is to rehearse the human side of pressure so leaders are ready when the stakes are real.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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The diamonds formed under extreme pressure and heat deep in the Earth's mantle.—
Benj Edwards,
ArsTechnica,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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He was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting an officer without violence in 2007, court records show.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Aug. 2025
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None appears to have gone toward violence prevention.—
Fred Clasen-Kelly,
NPR,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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On Monday, the Buddhist Association of China said in a statement that Shi had been stripped of his ordination certificate – an official proof of a monk’s or nun’s qualification to enter monastic life.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
28 July 2025
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Taste of Tibet Everyone is welcome to try authentic Tibetan meals in a true, monastic atmosphere.—
Caroline Ritzie,
The Enquirer,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Beyond that, Erin may be pushed into a turn to the north — but where and when that happens will determine its threat to Florida or other parts of the eastern seaboard.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
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Renee Pesci, executive director of the Arts & Business Council of Miami, says that with the latest threats, the arts community has been mobilizing — organizing to show up at budget meetings and requesting meetings with the mayor and county commissioners.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The festival would know that better than most, juxtaposing classical music—and its expectation of monkish silence—with the heart of Chicago’s downtown, and the human mix therein.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
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Obama has retreated into monkish silence, broken only for special occasions such as celebrity deaths and the recording of Bruce Springsteen podcasts.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
17 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Bullying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bullying. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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