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Meaning & use

bullying

noun, adjective·Everydaydisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˈbʊliɪŋ/
US/ˈbʊliɪŋ/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. noununcountabledisapproving

    Repeated unkind or aggressive treatment of a person by someone who has more power, meant to hurt, frighten or control them.

    Grammar: No plural and no article: bullying is a serious problem.

    Patterns

    • bullying of someone
    • bullying at school

    The school introduced a new policy to stop bullying in the playground.

    Constant bullying made him dread going to work.

    Online bullying can follow a child home through a phone.

  2. adjectivebefore a noundisapproving

    Behaving in a forceful, threatening way toward weaker people to get what you want.

    Grammar: Describes a person or manner, as in a bullying boss or bullying tactics.

    Patterns

    • a bullying manner
    • bullying tactics

    His bullying manner made the junior staff nervous.

    She stood up to her bullying older brother.

    The company was criticised for using bullying tactics against small suppliers.

Common combinations

stop bullying
Teachers must work together to stop bullying.
victim of bullying
She had been a victim of bullying in her first year.
workplace bullying
Workplace bullying can include constant criticism and humiliation.
online bullying
Many parents worry about online bullying.
report bullying
Students are encouraged to report bullying to a trusted adult.

Synonyms and how they differ

intimidation
Intimidation means frightening someone into doing something, and it can be a single act, but bullying is usually repeated.
harassment
Harassment is the formal and legal word for unwanted, repeated behavior, and it is broader than bullying.
persecution
Persecution means cruel treatment of a group, often for beliefs or identity, and is more serious and larger in scale.
tormenting
Tormenting stresses causing continued suffering and is less tied to power imbalance than bullying.

Opposites

kindnessprotection

Word family

bully noun
a person who bullies others
bully verb
to hurt or frighten someone weaker
bullied adjective
having been the target of bullying
antibullying adjective
aimed at preventing bullying

Commonly confused: bullying or teasing?

bullying vs teasing

Teasing can be friendly and playful, but bullying is meant to hurt and happens again and again.

Practice

What most clearly separates bullying from a one-time argument?

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