bullying 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bullyingnext
as in browbeating

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

bullying

2 of 3

noun

as in coercion

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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
Adjective
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 The district maintains an anti-bullying policy outlined in its student handbook. — Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
Being collaborative, open, and flexible differentiates this type of communication from manipulation or bullying. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Drawing on the testimonies of 255 workers across eight factories in Pakistan, the report portrays an industry beset by pervasive unlawful wages, excessive working hours, harassment, bullying, surveillance and intimidation. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
Verb
For a long time, our leading hypothesis was bullying and violence, but that may be a bit impractical, given their kingdoms are vast networks of tunnels that can stretch for up to three kilometers. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026 This aggressive legal action is backfiring, as consumers perceive the large chain as bullying a smaller, beloved brand. — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 10 July 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
  • 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
  • What frustrated her most was that the issue refused to stay resolved.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Definition of resolved
Noun
  • They must be understood within a system of coercion designed to separate children from their families, communities and Ukrainian identity.
    — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Autonomy, in this light, is not simply the absence of coercion.
    — Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of coercion
Verb
  • In the film, Morton delivers a powerful monologue about men abusing power.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
  • An article in the Washington Post chronicled how police officers were caught abusing surveillance technology to stalk ex-wives and, in at least one case, an actress a police officer wanted to meet.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of abusing
Verb
  • Rather than prescribing rigid programs or focusing solely on physical health, the resort blends science with ancient wisdom, movement, nutrition, nature, and human connection to create experiences that feel individualized rather than intimidating.
    — Gabby Shacknai, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • To be sure, putting our unvarnished, authentic selves on display can feel intimidating, but audiences respond well to it, and this approach can allow for meaningful connection and influence.
    — Matt Abrahams, Time, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimidating
Adjective
  • 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
  • Then, over the following years, came sustainability and strict reuse and ascetic renunciation, and today, finally, its photo series and articles advocated for a mild, slightly quirky anticapitalist metaphysics.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Definition of ascetic
Noun
  • In Season 1, Sugar was hard-edged and assertive; the kind of private investigator who leads with intimidation and meets aggression with equal aggression.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In March 2026, Didulo’s and Manz’s charges for intimidation of a justice-system participant were shelved due to lack of evidence, though prosecutors have one year to refile.
    — Zander Sherman, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 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
  • Not all retreats are monastic, and seclusion can easily nourish a hothouse of gossip.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The monastic Wiesler eventually comes to believe Dreyman is harmless and in the process doubts the very foundations of autocracy itself.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 27 July 2026
Definition of monastic

Browse Nearby Words

bullyboys
bullying
bullyrag
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bullying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bullying. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on bullying

Nglish: Translation of bullying for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of anecdote

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All