bully
noun
[ ˈbʊli ]
• a person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable.
• "he is a ranting, domineering bully"
Similar:
persecutor,
oppressor,
tyrant,
tormentor,
browbeater,
intimidator,
coercer,
subjugator,
scourge,
tough,
heavy,
bully boy,
ruffian,
thug,
attack dog,
badass,
bully
verb
• seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce (someone perceived as vulnerable).
• "her 11- year-old son has been constantly bullied at school"
Similar:
persecute,
oppress,
tyrannize,
torment,
browbeat,
intimidate,
cow,
coerce,
strong-arm,
subjugate,
domineer,
push about,
push around,
play the heavy with,
pressure,
pressurize,
bring pressure to bear on,
use pressure on,
put pressure on,
constrain,
lean on,
press,
push,
force,
compel,
oblige,
put under an obligation,
hound,
harass,
nag,
harry,
badger,
goad,
prod,
pester,
brainwash,
bludgeon,
persuade,
prevail on,
work on,
act on,
influence,
dragoon,
twist someone's arm,
blackjack,
bulldoze,
railroad,
put the screws/squeeze on,
bounce,
hustle,
fast-talk,
Origin:
mid 16th century: probably from Middle Dutch boele ‘lover’. Original use was as a term of endearment applied to either sex; it later became a familiar form of address to a male friend. The current sense dates from the late 17th century.
bully
adjective
• very good; excellent.
• "the statue really looked bully"
Origin:
late 16th century (originally used of a person, meaning ‘admirable, gallant, jolly’): from bully1. The current sense dates from the mid 19th century.
bully
noun
• corned beef.
Origin:
mid 18th century: alteration of bouilli.
bully
noun
• an act of starting play in field hockey, in which two opponents strike each other's sticks three times and then go for the ball.
bully
verb
• (in field hockey) start play with a bully.
Origin:
late 19th century (originally denoting a scrum in Eton football): of unknown origin.
bully for — !
• used to express admiration or approval.
• "he got away—bully for him!"
