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
In other words, Bhattacharya may attempt to use the agency’s billion-dollar leverage in reverse, to bully academics into being tolerant. Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025 When political tensions rose, Warner embraced empathy and compassion for struggling Americans while leveling resilience against global bullies. Chris Yogerst / Made By History, TIME, 6 Mar. 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
  • So, if the audience doesn’t dismiss it on account of the language barrier (as in subtitles), then that would be great.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • This is a great time for these landscaping upgrades.
    Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Jewish people in the U.S. have adopted a position of ‘support Netanyahu and his thugs irrespective of the political cost’ approach.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The thug in the seat next to him had 14 prior arrests and went by the name of killer.
    NPR, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • After killing the nun (Jennifer Ehle) who was her primary abuser within an entire system designed to abuse, Teonna went on the run.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2025
  • For too long, credit card companies have abused working-class Americans with absurd interest rates, trapping them in an almost insurmountable amount of debt.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Trump files spurious lawsuits to force his targets to defend themselves financially and legally and intimidate others from crossing him — or to surrender and settle, as ABC News did.
    Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Trying to circumvent that process by removing or intimidating a judge – with violence or with impeachment – could endanger both judges and their families, and American democracy, experts and legal scholars say.
    Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In less than 25 minutes, Jarrett provided a terrific start to what the Bears could market as a fun tear-off calendar of one-a-day Gradyisms.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
  • There's Connie Britton...Dan [Stevens] was terrific.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The idea that the most dangerous threats aren't always foreign enemies but those operating within one's own ranks mirrors real-world concerns about internal security breaches and shifting allegiances.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The establishment is the enemy; the professors are the enemy.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Quinn is such a mustache-twirling villain throughout that his interactions with Reacher feel overly cartoonish.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The real villains, says Mozaffarian, are excessive amounts of refined grains, starches, and sugars, as well as salt and other preservatives, chemical additives, and contaminants from packaging.
    Sarah Boden, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Black models confided in her, sharing stories of their hair being damaged, mistreated, or outright ignored by stylists unfamiliar with their textures.
    Lyric Christian, Essence, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Both Kansas City officials and KC Pet Project agree that the city’s current chapter on animal control in the city code has flaws that impede the ability of animal-control officers to go onto private property without permission to impound vicious dogs and animals that are being mistreated.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bully. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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