bullyboy

noun

bul·​ly·​boy ˈbu̇-lē-ˌbȯi How to pronounce bullyboy (audio)
ˈbə-
: a swaggering bully

Examples of bullyboy in a Sentence

political bullyboys who threaten their opponents residents reported on some bullyboys who were causing problems at the park
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Beijing’s bullyboy tactics were starting to hit uncomfortably close to home. Mark L. Clifford, WSJ, 27 Jan. 2022 Barletta was a friend and former student of George Shultz, then U.S. secretary of state, and suddenly critics of Noriega’s bullyboy rule found a more attentive audience within the Reagan administration. Glenn Garvin, miamiherald, 30 May 2017 The election campaign was, in retrospect, the ultimate Trump display of bullyboy arrogance. Michael D'antonio, CNN, 18 May 2017 Chaffetz’s shtick — bullyboy investigator targeting the right’s bogeymen — worked when Hillary Clinton and/or President Obama were his targets. Jennifer Rubin, The Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bullyboy was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near bullyboy

Cite this Entry

“Bullyboy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullyboy. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!