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
Because of Si-eun’s delicate appearance, he is once again targeted as a potential victim by a class bully. Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Mar. 2025 Not for the first time, the violence of a bullying threat is directly proportional to the vulnerability that’s been exposed in the bully. Daniel Mendelsohn, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
His players refused to be bullied, winning 51 per cent of their duels. James Pearce, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025 Related article China vows to counter Trump’s ‘bullying’ tariffs as global trade war escalates Another Australian territory targeted by tariffs is the Cocos Islands. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bully
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bully
Adjective
  • But at first, the seizures were a source of great anxiety for our whole family.
    Grace Bastidas, Parents, 14 Apr. 2025
  • His great concern, however, is that A.I. is not being developed with this goal in mind.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Letterman may be the obvious precedent but Mulaney’s delivery is less snide than lightly panicked, as if some Netflix thugs have their hands on a switch off-camera, eager to cut to black.
    Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The Depardieu shtick — his public persona as a crude, working-class thug — was on full display.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The ways in which these attackers have abused Google’s email system clearly needs to be patched.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Donald Trump is abusing the levers of government to launch an attack against New York Attorney General Tish James on what seem to be pretty flimsy claims of fraud.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • James, through a spokesperson, said she will not be intimidated.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Separately, the judge said Aidan Kearney, a local blogger who has closely covered the case and is also facing pending charges for allegedly intimidating witnesses, will be exempt from a witness sequestration order.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But when the switch flips and the whole picture becomes clear, so does the terrific scope of Coogler’s triumph.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Rob Refsnyder, who also had a terrific day by going 3 for 4 with two doubles, tallied an RBI double in the third inning to put the Red Sox up 4-0.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The character went from being Emily’s friend to becoming her enemy as the two wrestled in a love triangle with Gabriel.
    Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Some were emblazoned with images of Maximilian I of Bavaria and Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III. Further, archaeologists discovered fragments of lead bullets and deposits of metal wheels — which were likely safeguarded to prevent them from falling into enemy hands after the army left camp.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Children meet superheroes and villains, engage with games and movies, and are greeted by staff in costume.
    Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The soul patch, villain, and walrus facial hair all work with masks while mutton chops and chin curtain don’t.
    Lisa Wood Shapiro, Wired News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Behind her glamorous exterior, the real Dorothy was a closeted lesbian who struggled with substance abuse and was mistreated by the men within Hollywood’s studio system before ultimately committing suicide.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 17 Apr. 2025
  • English, who denies the allegations, is at least the second state legislator to be investigated for allegedly mistreating aides in the past year.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bully. Accessed 25 Apr. 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!