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

as in prime

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 enemy

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

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 bully

Noun

Flanagan isn’t quite happy with the bucket drop, perpetrated by Carrie’s chief bully Chris Hargensen (Alison Thornton). — Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026 In both cases, legal protections designed to defend the little guy against bullies—the brewers, the car manufacturers—ended up creating a new category of bully. — John Lanchester, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

Grande had been the subject of a wave of speculation, concern and bullying regarding her physical appearance following images of the actress-singer going viral in late July. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 His stepmom said Nungaray had been bullied throughout high school and was hesitant to speak up. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bully

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bully

Adjective

Olivia Rodrigo’s recent Daisy Chain Fields, despite some long food and shuttle lines, was a prime example of how organized a first-year festival can be.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
So customers could potentially come to the fourth floor in the morning to do a Lagree class, suggested Julie Gasperini, director of buying for KaDeWe group, one of the prime organizers of partners for the hub.

— Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of prime

Noun

And strength to resist reducing complex human challenges to slogans, enemies, or simple answers.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
In other words, the brain makes sure that the Valkyrie follows European protocols about when to engage with and fire upon an enemy.

— David Szondy October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of enemy

Verb

The charges come with additional special allegations, around the victim’s vulnerability and that Tapia abused a trustworthy position.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Early American corporate charters, after all, were granted for limited public purposes and could be revoked when abused.

— Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of abuse

Verb

Amid reports of a surge in federal immigration raids, Los Angeles leaders and immigration advocates said Friday that the efforts appear aimed at discouraging turnout in the midterm elections, and urged voters not to be intimidated.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
In the books, Xaden is described as a large, dominating wing leader with dark, intimidating features who is highly revered by the rest of the Basgiath War College.

— Isabelle Farina, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidate

Noun

Rival fans were quick to jump all over this fact, given that both the Panthers and the Tkachuk brothers were seen as polarizing villains throughout the NHL.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Is that the most difficult thing for you as the showrunner of a political show today — a president as a villain?

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of villain

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bullwhips

bully

bullyboy

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“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bully. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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