BULLY Synonyms: 318 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'bully' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of bully are browbeat , bulldoze , cow , and intimidate . While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior. // bullied into giving up their lunch money

Q: When could 'browbeat' be used to replace 'bully'?

While the synonyms browbeat and bully are close in meaning, browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment. // browbeat the witness into a contradiction

Q: In what contexts can 'bulldoze' take the place of 'bully'?

In some situations, the words bulldoze and bully are roughly equivalent. However, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats. // bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

Q: When might 'cow' be a better fit than 'bully'?

The synonyms cow and bully are sometimes interchangeable, but cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost. // not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

Q: When is it sensible to use 'intimidate' instead of 'bully'?

The words intimidate and bully can be used in similar contexts, but intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another. // intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

bully 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bully next

as in great

of the very best kind that's a bully idea for reviving the town's retail center

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bully

2 of 3

noun

ˈbu̇-lē

as in intimidator

a person who teases, threatens, or hurts smaller, weaker, or more vulnerable persons the school has a procedure for students who want to report problems with bullies

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in thug

a violent, brutal person who is often a member of an organized gang the local loan shark and his bullies have ways of making people pay up

Synonyms & Similar Words

bully

3 of 3

verb

as in to abuse

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon the kindergarten teacher explained why it was wrong to bully classmates

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to intimidate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bully different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of bully are browbeat, bulldoze, cow, and intimidate. While all these words mean "to frighten into submission," bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior.

bullied into giving up their lunch money

When could browbeat be used to replace bully?

While the synonyms browbeat and bully are close in meaning, browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment.

browbeat the witness into a contradiction

In what contexts can bulldoze take the place of bully?

In some situations, the words bulldoze and bully are roughly equivalent. However, bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats.

bulldozed the city council into approving the plan

When might cow be a better fit than bully?

The synonyms cow and bully are sometimes interchangeable, but cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost.

not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business

When is it sensible to use intimidate instead of bully?

The words intimidate and bully can be used in similar contexts, but intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another.

intimidated by so many other bright freshmen

Examples 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 bully

Noun

Note to bullies… maybe don’t come for Travis Kelce when his 6’3″, 295-pound brother is standing right there. —

Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 2 Nov. 2024 His arms are often folded, his eyes piercing, like a bully posted on a brick wall waiting for the final school bell to ring. —

James L. Edwards Iii, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024

Verb

Trump repeated unfounded claims that Haitian immigrants were eating dogs and cats in Springfield, Ohio, and the fellow asked for assistance to organize a rally in support of the Haitian community and children who were being bullied in school. —

Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024 Many Americans remain angry about the pandemic for other reasons too: angry about losing a job, getting bullied into vaccination, or watching children fall behind in a virtual classroom. —

Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bully

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bully

Adjective

Poor air quality from wildfires, vehicle exhaust, factories, and other sources takes a toll on lung health—but mounting research suggests that breathing unhealthy air can also put people at a greater risk of developing autoimmune diseases.

Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
The two front runners have a great shot at taking home the trophy in Hunter and Jeanty.

Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024