bull 1 of 5

noun (1)

Definition of bullnext
as in decree
an order publicly issued by an authority the head office issued a bull banning the use of alcohol at all on-site social functions

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bull

2 of 5

noun (2)

ˈbu̇l How to pronounce bull (audio)
slang
as in policeman
a member of a force charged with law enforcement at the local level the town's drug dealers and bulls were well acquainted with one another

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bull

3 of 5

noun (3)

slang
1
as in rhetoric
boastful speech or writing an interview filled with the usual bull about how seriously she takes the art of acting

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2
as in nonsense
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense a guy who's always trying to sell some sucker a line of bull

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bull

4 of 5

verb (1)

as in to push
to force one's way the beleaguered governor bulled through the crowd of reporters without answering a single question

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bull

5 of 5

verb (2)

slang
as in to brag
to praise or express pride in one's own possessions, qualities, or accomplishments often to excess no one bought all his bulling about how he had beaten the stock market

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 bull
Noun
The bull case is that inflation comes down quicker than expected. — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 The release of ChatGPT and the end of Fed tightening then gave the tech bull a second wind. — Ruchir Sharma, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
By the time Fernando Mendoza ran across the line on fourth down, then bulled over a couple of Hurricanes defenders and stretched the ball over the goal line, the national championship game had more than its defining play. — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026 Where the North Florida team couldn’t stop him from bulling for two 1-yard touchdowns and several other other successful sneaks, Bills defenders stopped quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s fourth-and-2 rush at their 8. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bull
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bull
  1. decree
  2. policeman
  3. rhetoric
  4. nonsense
  5. push
  6. brag
  7. edict
  8. cop
Noun
  • Wisely, our Fathers chose a secular people-friendly format not subject to papal or evangelical or ayatollah decree.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
  • His decree also dissolved the national legislature and state governments.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of decree
Noun
  • Hanuman inspires him to avenge the rape of his mother by a corrupt policeman working for a deceitful Hindu nationalist spiritual leader.
    — Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • When plans were made for a visit to Japan by President Eisenhower in 1960—it was eventually called off—there weren’t enough policemen to guard his route into Tokyo, so the yakuza were mobilized to help.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of policeman
Noun
  • And a Gallup poll last year revealed a majority of Americans feel that both parties have gone too far in their use of inflammatory rhetoric to criticize their opponents.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The rhetoric from Rogers and other Republicans about El-Sayed has added to those frustrations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of rhetoric
Noun
  • In the eyes of the conferences, and CFP committee, the allure of a postseason bid is the carrot that would dangle in front of them so that fans would look the other way at the nonsense this creates for the football played in September or October.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • My fellow relishers of Trowbridge nonsense, today is our day of jubilee.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of nonsense
Verb
  • Torrential rain has pushed all three waterways higher for days, spilling them over their banks in northeastern Argentina, southern Paraguay and western Uruguay.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Audit reports, supplier codes of conduct and corporate sustainability pledges have made up the bulk of brands’ efforts to push a more ecological and socially aware agenda, but times have changed.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of push
Verb
  • Seaver, who announced Parton’s death at the age of 80, bragged about the deal in Haiti in that message, court records show.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Afterward, Lisa brags about her pickpocketing skills and says theft is easier and less insulting to the mark.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of brag
Noun
  • The edict is to transform the operating model when the market fundamentally shifts so the company can thrive in a changing environment.
    — Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The film by and large follows the edicts of Iranian neorealism, with unobtrusive observations and a naturalistic soundscape.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of edict
Noun
  • In January 2025, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch changed the department pursuit policy, barring cops from chasing after vehicles fleeing car stops unless a felony crime or a violent misdemeanor was committed.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Even as a former cop, he was shocked by the state of the place.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of cop

Phrases Containing bull

Browse Nearby Words

bulky
bull
bull's-eye
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Cite this Entry

“Bull.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bull. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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