bully

word

/ˈbʊɫi/
BUU-lee
/bˈʊli/
BUU-lee

Definition

A bully is a person who is mean to someone weaker or repeatedly hurts, scares, or pressures them. As a verb, it means to treat someone that way.

Usage & Nuances

Common in school and workplace contexts. 'Bully' can be both a noun and a verb: 'a bully', 'to bully someone'. Often used with patterns like 'bully someone into doing something' and 'school bully'. It suggests repeated behavior, not just one rude moment.

Example Sentences

Don’t let the manager bully you into working all weekend.

natural

That boy is a bully at school.

basic

Some kids bully others because they want power.

basic

She told the teacher that a classmate was bullying her.

basic

He tried to bully me into saying yes, but I refused.

natural

Online bullying can be just as harmful as face-to-face abuse.

natural