as in browbeating
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in coercion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bullying
Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2023
The student then met with the school’s principal and vice principal – an anti-bullying specialist, according to the state school directory – and reported the threats of violence made against her before she was assaulted, according to the lawsuit.
—Celina Tebor, CNN, 13 Feb. 2023
Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
Psychological Harm: The Lingering Shadows The psychological scars of workplace bullying can be long-lasting.
—Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 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
Adjective
That's why experts say more anti-bullying intervention is needed – from both parents and schools.
—Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2023
The student then met with the school’s principal and vice principal – an anti-bullying specialist, according to the state school directory – and reported the threats of violence made against her before she was assaulted, according to the lawsuit.
—Celina Tebor, CNN, 13 Feb. 2023
Noun
As trans culture vlogger Jessie Earl points out, trans people themselves are at much higher risk of experiencing doxxing, bullying, and harassment than cisgender people.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
Psychological Harm: The Lingering Shadows The psychological scars of workplace bullying can be long-lasting.
—Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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
Noun
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Mixing pop and politics Soft power refers to a country’s ability to influence others, not through coercion but through attraction – by shaping preferences through culture, values and public diplomacy.—
Shaoyu Yuan,
The Conversation,
23 Apr. 2025
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The two scholars maintain there is no evidence of coercion here.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
-
Relapse is alluring, Bart is intimidating, and Son is mysterious.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This is especially clear in the contrast between Marcus Luria and his father, the ascetic sage Zalia Ziskind.—
Adam Kirsch,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
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While Mathu is an ascetic loner, Malby was a hedonistic womanizer.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Trump Factor Cost-of-living pressures and concerns about Trump's volatile trade and other policies had been among the top issues on voters' minds, opinion polls showed.—
Kirsty Needham,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
-
If the Caps’ defensive depth isn’t up to their regular-season levels, the pressure is on Logan Thompson to raise his game.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
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In terms of violence, it's got plenty of gunfight and action scenes, plus one somewhat main character gets shot in the face early in the movie.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
-
Flores pleaded guilty last year to charges of assault on a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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In recognition of the power of acoustics, Aurelio Montes has constructed his cellar in a semi circle to maximise the harmony imparted by these monastic tones.—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
On an island known for being high energy, this suite offers a near monastic sense of calm.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For the moment, this means the U.S. Department of Education cannot make good on its threat to punish noncompliant districts by withholding vital federal funding, including dollars that help K-12 schools serve low-income students and children with disabilities.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2025
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There is no sudden threat to your bank details or phone data or identity or anything else.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Cillian Murphy is not sitting at home in monkish penury.—
Vulture,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Bullying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bullying. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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