bully

³bully

verb

bul·liedbul·ly·ing

Definition of BULLY

transitive verb

1

: to treat abusively

2

: to affect by means of force or coercion

intransitive verb

: to use browbeating language or behavior : bluster

Examples of BULLY

1. He bullied his younger brothers.
2. <children who had been bullied by their father since infancy>

First Known Use of BULLY

1693

Related to BULLY

Synonyms: brutalize, abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, kick around, maltreat, manhandle, mess over [slang], mishandle, mistreat, misuse

Related Words: molest, outrage, violate; harass, harm, hurt, injure, oppress, persecute, torment, torture; burn, sandbag, victimize, wrong; beat (up), mess (up), rough (up), work (over)

Near Antonyms: care (for), cherish, foster, nurture; baby, cater (to), coddle, favor, gratify, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at intimidate