bullying 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bullyingnext
as in browbeating

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bullying

2 of 3

noun

as in coercion

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bullying

3 of 3

verb

present participle of bully
1
as in abusing
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon the kindergarten teacher explained why it was wrong to bully classmates

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2
as in intimidating
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats the manager was fired for bullying employees

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bullying
Adjective
An ice cream shop in Plainfield, Illinois, has launched an anti-bullying campaign after an incident with a customer. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 31 May 2026 In recent years, Lewinsky has reemerged in the public eye, becoming an anti-bullying advocate and public speaker. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Noun
Before working in Sacramento, Dains was accused of racial discrimination, workplace bullying and abuse of power while managing the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026 The Wright State University student, who was studying neuroscience, struggled with the shame and bullying that came with wearing an ankle monitor, according to his family. — Lauren Costantino september 19, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro resigned Wednesday following an investigation into a complaint alleging the workplace culture under her leadership was oppressive, bullying and intimidating. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026 Among Jackson, Flowers picking apart the Colts’ secondary and Henry bullying anyone in blue for three rushing touchdowns, poor Lou Anarumo, the Colts’ defensive coordinator, could not get out of Week 1 without feeling his seat simmering. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bullying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bullying
  1. resolved
  2. coercion
  3. abusing
  4. intimidating
  5. ascetic
  6. intimidation
  7. frightening
  8. monastic
Adjective
  • This view helpfully shows key numbers (such as resolved requests, involvement rate, resolution rate) at the top, along with a funnel that visualizes visualizing how requests are resolved (with AI or humans).
    — Dianna Gunn, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026
  • There's a difference between a closed ticket and a resolved issue.
    — Amit Mathradas, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of resolved
Noun
  • Seward envisioned a North American union created through free choice, not coercion or conquest.
    — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Many other women have come forward with allegations of rape, coercion, drugging and exploitation as well.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of coercion
Verb
  • Berry’s ex-husband Olivier Martinez accused the actor of physically abusing their 12-year-old son last month.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • As reports of officers abusing Flock have made headlines and the company has become increasingly controversial, hundreds of cities and counties have ended or suspended their contracts with the company, or decided not to renew them.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of abusing
Verb
  • Others have more broad statutes prohibiting any kind of intimidating behavior.
    — Danielle Friedman, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
  • That would be in 51,521-seat Rice-Eccles Stadium, which stands an intimidating 4,637 feet above sea level in scenic Salt Lake City.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidating
Adjective
  • And there were posters tearing apart his otherworldly self-projection as a fakir, or ascetic, depicting him in his monogrammed suits, designer sunglasses, and aircraft.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Then, over the following years, came sustainability and strict reuse and ascetic renunciation, and today, finally, its photo series and articles advocated for a mild, slightly quirky anticapitalist metaphysics.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Definition of ascetic
Noun
  • Terrorist organizations also frequently use public executions as a means of intimidation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Other federal laws, which more broadly prohibit any intimidation of, or interference with, voters may also be applied to keep armed officials from appearing at polling places.
    — Danielle Friedman, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidation
Verb
  • Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.
    — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • From ancient times, various monastic orders have followed a more expansive form of brahmacharya, one that restricts eight types of engagement with the opposite gender.
    — Bhakti Mamtora, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
  • But the units are monastic, at least by the standards of Nashville upperclassmen, who usually live in singles or in apartments off campus.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of monastic

Browse Nearby Words

bullyboys
bullying
bullyrag
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Cite this Entry

“Bullying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bullying. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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