bully

/ˈbʊli/

/ˈbʊli/

Other forms: bullying; bullied; bullies; bullyingly

You might still have terrifying dreams about the bully who harassed you on the playground in second grade. A bully is someone who intimidates people, usually those who are weaker or smaller.

The classic example of a bully is a mean kid in a schoolyard who hassles or beats up younger students. While a child or a teenager can be a bully, so is anyone who uses power or strength to scare or harm other people. The word bully has gone through a mysterious evolution, from the 1530s when it meant "sweetheart," through the 17th century's meanings of "fine fellow," then "blusterer," and finally "harasser of the weak."

Definitions of bully

1. verb

   discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
   synonyms: browbeat, swagger

   type of:

   blarney, cajole, coax, inveigle, palaver, sweet-talk, wheedle

   influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
2. verb

   be bossy towards
   “Her big brother always bullied her when she was young”

   synonyms: ballyrag, boss around, browbeat, bullyrag, hector, push around, strong-arm

   types:

   domineer, tyrannise, tyrannize

   rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner

   type of:

   intimidate

   make timid or fearful
3. noun

   a cruel and brutal fellow
   synonyms: hooligan, roughneck, rowdy, ruffian, tough, yob, yobbo, yobo

   types:

   bullyboy

   a swaggering tough; usually one acting as an agent of a political faction

   muscle, muscleman

   a bully employed as a thug or bodyguard

   skinhead

   a young person who belongs to a British or American group that shave their heads and gather at rock concerts or engage in white supremacist demonstrations

   plug-ugly, tough guy

   someone who bullies weaker people

   Ted, Teddy boy

   a tough youth of 1950's and 1960's wearing Edwardian style clothes

   type of:

   aggressor, assailant, assaulter, attacker

   someone who attacks
4. noun

   a hired thug
   type of:

   goon, hood, hoodlum, punk, strong-armer, thug, tough, toughie

   an aggressive and violent young criminal
5. adjective

   very good
   “he did a bully job”

   synonyms: bang-up, corking, cracking, dandy, great, groovy, keen, neat, nifty, not bad, peachy, slap-up, smashing, swell

   good

   having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified