bully
1 of 4noun (1)
bul·ly ˈbu̇-lē 
ˈbə-
plural bullies
1
a
: a blustering, browbeating person
especially : one who is habitually cruel, insulting, or threatening to others who are weaker, smaller, or in some way vulnerable
tormented by the neighborhood bully
b
: pimp
2
: a hired ruffian
3
archaic
a
: sweetheart
b
: a fine chap
bully
2 of 4verb
bullied; bullying
transitive verb
1
: to treat (someone) in a cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive fashion : to act like a bully toward
bullied her younger brother
2
: to cause (someone) to do something by means of force or coercion
was bullied into accepting their offer
intransitive verb
: to use language or behavior that is cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive
bully
3 of 4adjective
1
: excellent —often used in interjectional expressions
bully for you
2
: resembling or characteristic of a bully
his bully tricks
bully
4 of 4noun (2)
food : pickled or canned usually corned beef
Did you know?
Bully Wasn't Always Negative
The earliest meaning of English bully was “sweetheart.” The word was probably borrowed from Dutch boel, “lover.” Later bully was used for anyone who seemed a good fellow, then for a blustering daredevil. Today, a bully is usually one whose claims to strength and courage are based on the intimidation of those who are weaker.
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- bullyboy
- hector
- intimidator
Verb
- abuse
- brutalize
- ill-treat
- ill-use
- kick around
- maltreat
- manhandle
- mess over [slang]
- mishandle
- mistreat
- misuse
Adjective
- A-OK
- A1
- awesome
- bang-up
- banner
- beautiful
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- boffo
- bonny [chiefly British]
- bonnie
- boss [slang]
- brag
- brave
- bumper
- capital
- choice
- classic
- cool [slang]
- corking
- crackerjack
- cracking
- dandy
- divine
- dope [slang]
- down [slang]
- dynamite
- excellent
- fab
- fabulous
- famous
- fantabulous [slang]
- fantastic
- fine
- first-class
- first-rate
- first-string
- five-star
- four-star
- frontline
- gangbusters
- gangbuster
- gilt-edged
- gilt-edge
- gone [slang]
- grand
- great
- groovy
- heavenly
- high-class
- hot
- hype [slang]
- immense
- jim-dandy
- keen
- lovely
- marvelous
- marvellous
- mean
- neat
- nifty
- noble
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- out-of-sight [slang]
- par excellence
- peachy
- peachy keen
- phat [slang]
- prime
- primo [slang]
- prize
- prizewinning
- quality
- radical [slang]
- righteous [slang]
- sensational
- slick
- splendid
- stellar
- sterling
- superb
- superior
- superlative
- supernal
- swell
- terrific
- tip-top
- top
- top-notch
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- topflight
- topping [chiefly British]
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb He bullied his younger brothers. the kindergarten teacher explained why it was wrong to bully classmates Adjective that's a bully idea for reviving the town's retail center
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1), Verb, and Adjective
probably from Middle Dutch boele lover; akin to Middle Low German bōle lover, Middle High German buole
Noun (2)
probably modification of French (bœuf) boulli boiled beef
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1538, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
1693, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Adjective
1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1753, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing bully
Kids Definition
bully 1 of 2
noun
bul·ly ˈbu̇-lē
plural bullies
: someone who is cruel, insulting, or threatening to another and often to one who is smaller, weaker, or in some way vulnerable
bully
2 of 2verb
bullied; bullying
: to be cruel, insulting, or threatening to another and often to one who is smaller, weaker, or in some way vulnerable
bullied 1 of 2
adjective
as in intimidated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- intimidated
- cowed
- persecuted
- browbeaten
- abused
- oppressed
- crushed
- hectored
- mistreated
- downtrodden
- maltreated
- tyrannized
- disheartened
- dispirited
- abject
- despairing
- downcast
- hopeless
bullied
2 of 2verb
1
as in abused
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon the kindergarten teacher explained why it was wrong to bully classmates Synonyms & Similar Words
- abused
- tortured
- mistreated
- oppressed
- injured
- persecuted
- brutalized
- hurt
- maltreated
- manhandled
- harassed
- violated
- misused
- tormented
- molested
- ill-treated
- mishandled
- outraged
- took apart
- ill-used
- victimized
- messed over
- harmed
- wronged
- kicked around
- sandbagged
- burnt
- burned
- worked (over)
- beat (up)
- roughed (up)
- messed (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nurtured
- fostered
- cherished
- cared (for)
- coddled
- favored
- spoilt
- pampered
- spoiled
- indulged
- gratified
- catered (to)
- mollycoddled
- babied
- humored
2
as in frightened
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats the manager was fired for bullying employees Synonyms & Similar Words
- intimidated
- frightened
- scared
- coerced
- cowed
- browbeat
- startled
- harassed
- hectored
- bulldozed
- shocked
- threatened
- pressured
- strong-armed
- badgered
- bullyragged
- picked on
- blackjacked
- bogarted
- ballyragged
- terrorized
- terrified
- horrified
- alarmed
- blustered
- forced
- spooked
- hounded
- menaced
- trash-talked
- disturbed
- compelled
- dragooned
- upset
- bludgeoned
- affrighted
- obliged
- distressed
- unnerved
- demoralized
- constrained
- perturbed
- disquieted
- disconcerted
- pressed
- pushed around
- alarumed
- discomposed
- made
- unmanned
- psyched (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- comforted
- consoled
- cheered
- reassured
- encouraged
- soothed
- emboldened
- persuaded
- convinced
- heartened
- solaced
- steeled