as in browbeating
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Her other priorities listed on her website include teacher satisfaction, college/career readiness, fiscal responsibility, early childhood education, equity, anti-bullying, mental health support and AI literacy.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Four interior cameras focused on student safety, including incidents such as bullying or fights.
—Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
His campaign is gaining momentum at a time when many of the administration’s steadfast Christian backers—alarmed by the president’s bullying campaign against Pope Leo XIV in recent weeks, among other heresies—have been rethinking their support.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bullying
Adjective
The foundation provides both financing and resources to schools to launch anti-bullying clubs.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 13 Apr. 2026
Her other priorities listed on her website include teacher satisfaction, college/career readiness, fiscal responsibility, early childhood education, equity, anti-bullying, mental health support and AI literacy.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
But the bans, which have been touted by researchers, educators and policymakers as a way to boost children’s attendance and academic achievement and to combat mental health issues and online bullying, aren’t delivering on all those promises, the findings reveal.
—Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Four interior cameras focused on student safety, including incidents such as bullying or fights.
—Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Verb
Unfortunately, Trump’s bullying style of diplomacy does not engender a willingness by allies and friends to step forward and provide assistance to our efforts in Iran.
—Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2026
His campaign is gaining momentum at a time when many of the administration’s steadfast Christian backers—alarmed by the president’s bullying campaign against Pope Leo XIV in recent weeks, among other heresies—have been rethinking their support.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bullying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bullying
Noun
-
Smith further argued that mailing the drug without in-person screenings leaves women without adequate medical oversight or evaluation for contraindications, coercion, and other health concerns.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
-
By the same principle, public discourse is authentic only when no participant is excluded, no opinion is forbidden, and no one is subjected to coercion.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
There have been several cases of clergy abusing children in Sri Lanka, but the latest arrest involves the most senior monk to be accused of such a crime.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
-
According to the frenetic video, this means abusing the office photocopier and covering yourself in Post-its.—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Her intimidating boss Bill Gibson (Jay Ellis) summons her and some other newbies to ask about Yarn Barn.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
-
If a thick field guide covering all the plants growing along the Front Range feels intimidating, apps can be useful, Mowen says.—
Jamie Siebrase,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
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
-
In Ross Township, the race between Jones and Blackmon featured reports of intimidation and social media sniping.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
The group also expressed concern over allegations that Carmen Teresa Navas, described as an elderly woman, had been subjected to intimidation and warnings by state officials while advocating for information about her son.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The overall aesthetic was slightly ascetic without being spartan—a pale, neutral color palette; simple, modern furniture; a few pieces of abstract art.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The first follows the Rajput king Ratansen of Chitor (a fortress in what is now Chittorgarh, Rajasthan), who renounces his throne and travels as a yogi (wandering ascetic) to the island kingdom of Simhal to win the legendary Padmavati.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Small-town social pressure could be a useful tool, too.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
Zelenskyy vowed to keep pressure on Moscow to make concessions in talks.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bullying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bullying. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
