Meaning & use

bully

noun·Everyday

A person who habitually uses strength, threats, or intimidation to hurt, frighten, or control someone weaker.

See it in a sentence

The school introduced a new program to help students stand up to a bully.

As a child, he was often picked on by an older bully at the bus stop.

A note on using this word

Bully also functions as a verb meaning to intimidate or mistreat someone repeatedly, as in "he was bullied throughout middle school."

Words with a similar meaning

tormentorintimidator

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To use strength, threats, or intimidation to hurt, frighten, or force someone to do something.

Classmates accused him of trying to bully younger students into giving up their lunch money.

Make it your own

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