as in browbeating
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in coercion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in abusing
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
the kindergarten teacher explained why it was wrong to bully classmates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intimidating
to make timid or fearful by or as if by threats
the manager was fired for bullying employees
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bullying
Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2023
The student then met with the school’s principal and vice principal – an anti-bullying specialist, according to the state school directory – and reported the threats of violence made against her before she was assaulted, according to the lawsuit.
—Celina Tebor, CNN, 13 Feb. 2023
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
President Donald Trump’s bullying tactics have caused an international stir.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2024
Providing bursts of energy by chasing balls out of bounds and bullying her wait into the paint for rebounds, the 5-9 freshman provided versatility not in the box score.
—Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bullying
Adjective
That's why experts say more anti-bullying intervention is needed – from both parents and schools.
—Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2023
The student then met with the school’s principal and vice principal – an anti-bullying specialist, according to the state school directory – and reported the threats of violence made against her before she was assaulted, according to the lawsuit.
—Celina Tebor, CNN, 13 Feb. 2023
Noun
Weeks after hearing allegations of bullying, conflict of interest and other misconduct against La Jolla Village Merchants Association Executive Director Jodi Rudick, the board gave her a sparkling annual performance review and a pay raise at its meeting April 9.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
President Donald Trump’s bullying tactics have caused an international stir.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Democrats have rallied to McBride’s defense, accusing Republicans of bullying McBride and attacking other LGBTQ+ people who work at and visit the Capitol.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2024
Providing bursts of energy by chasing balls out of bounds and bullying her wait into the paint for rebounds, the 5-9 freshman provided versatility not in the box score.
—Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bullying
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bullying
Noun
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Mixing pop and politics Soft power refers to a country’s ability to influence others, not through coercion but through attraction – by shaping preferences through culture, values and public diplomacy.—
Shaoyu Yuan,
The Conversation,
23 Apr. 2025
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The two scholars maintain there is no evidence of coercion here.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Relapse is alluring, Bart is intimidating, and Son is mysterious.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
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While the market’s recent volatility can be intimidating, experts generally recommend investors focus on their long-term goals.—
Ana Teresa Solá,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This is especially clear in the contrast between Marcus Luria and his father, the ascetic sage Zalia Ziskind.—
Adam Kirsch,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
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While Mathu is an ascetic loner, Malby was a hedonistic womanizer.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Fed's most potent weapon against inflation is to ratchet up or maintain higher interest rates, because an increase in borrowing costs slows economic demand, which eases inflationary pressures.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2025
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President Donald Trump took a break from the pressures of presidential life on Monday to engage with families and children at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Abby’s friends are nervous, even disgusted at this point, horrified at her capacity for violence.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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More than 1,700 people have been killed this year— 1,086 in February and March, according to the U.N. — in violence fueled by criminal groups trying to expand their territorial control and overthrow the government.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Generosity and Buddhist laity Without donations, Buddhist temples and monastic institutions could not exist.—
Brooke Schedneck,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2025
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With padded walls that resemble the inside out of a Loro Piana jacket, the space exhibits eight avant-garde pieces in natural hues that combine monastic refinement, theatrical play on volumes, and intricate handicrafts.—
Denni Hu,
WWD,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For the moment, this means the U.S. Department of Education cannot make good on its threat to punish noncompliant districts by withholding vital federal funding, including dollars that help K-12 schools serve low-income students and children with disabilities.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2025
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The threat of a trade war sparked by President Trump’s tariffs has played a role in the state’s license plate quandary.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Obama has retreated into monkish silence, broken only for special occasions such as celebrity deaths and the recording of Bruce Springsteen podcasts.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
17 July 2024
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Cillian Murphy is not sitting at home in monkish penury.—
Vulture,
Vulture,
3 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Bullying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bullying. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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