bully 1 of 3

bully

2 of 3

noun

bully

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bully different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of bully are browbeat, bulldoze, cow, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

When could browbeat be used to replace bully?

While the synonyms browbeat and bully are close in meaning, browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bulldoze take the place of bully?

In some situations, the words bulldoze and bully are roughly equivalent. However, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When might cow be a better fit than bully?

The synonyms cow and bully are sometimes interchangeable, but cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

When is it sensible to use intimidate instead of bully?

The words intimidate and bully can be used in similar contexts, but intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

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 bully
Noun
Staying silent is no way to deal with a bully like Trump, as so many children have learned in so many schoolyards. Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 Bruno appears to be a bully who doesn’t have Tenoch’s best interests at heart, and the rules of storytelling suggest that Julian will regret using this case to punish his soon-to-be ex-wife. Noel Murray, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
We won’t be bullied or intimidated by frivolous cases. Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2025 Law Were you harassed, bullied while working for a federal judge? Carrie Johnson, NPR, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bully
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bully
Adjective
  • Although Seattle’s skill talent has been great, Smith has never played behind even an average offensive line, and his last two offensive coordinators weren’t good enough to keep their jobs.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
  • By Nellie Bowles March 31, 2020 Get Outside and Safely Visit a National Park Now is the time to start looking ahead, to spring and summer excursions in the great outdoors.
    Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The 20th-century Yellowstone Dutton Ranch is under siege from a greedy developer (James Bond star Timothy Dalton) and his thugs in the new season.
    Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
  • But authorities now believe the most heinous acts were the handiwork of a one-time nursing student from Puerto Rico who evolved over a decade from teenage burglar to drug trafficker to rampaging thug.
    Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For too long, as alleged in the Complaint, the Board has abused its power, violating Florida law and its own governing documents while gaslighting members who invest millions in memberships and annual dues.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Other interview subjects said Prince was abused himself as a child and could be controlling or emotionally manipulative.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Antonio Reyes, a 21-year-old police say shot and killed six people as a teenager, is behind bars but remains a terror, intimidating guards and attempting to kill fellow inmates.
    Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
  • But, after an eight-year hiatus, teeing off in front of people was intimidating.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Just look at the terrific films and stars left standing, shut out.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • And Kieran Culkin is the highlight of the piece, absolutely terrific in a mercurial and emotional role, and the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild winner is the clear favorite to win best supporting actor.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Republicans are comparably less inclined to see it as an enemy than are Americans overall.
    Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Article 2 was the party’s enemies list: the U.S., Europe, NATO, and the United Nations.
    James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Hackman was among the most accomplished actors of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.
    SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • There are spells, curses, vendettas, a twist villain, giant dragons who turn into humanoid warriors and many other creatures populating the world of this gargantuan feat of eye-popping computer animation.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Surasak said they weren’t mistreated, and were fed pita bread and cheese, with a portion of meat once a week.
    Kocha Olarn, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
  • During the first Trump administration in 2018, immigration and federal prison officials struck an agreement for 1,600 beds, according to the AP — an arrangement that led to allegations some detainees were mistreated.
    Brittany Gibson, Axios, 8 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bully. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bully

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!