bullying

American  

[bool-ee-ing] / ˈbʊl i ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of harassing, intimidating, or abusing others, especially habitually or from a perceived position of relative power.

   Bullying and stress can impact students' experiences at school.

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Other Word Forms

• unbullying adjective

Etymology

Origin of bullying

First recorded in 1675–85; bully ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Bullying is the act of intimidating someone else. Threatening to beat up your little brother if he doesn't clean your room for you is most certainly an act of bullying. You may have heard of the word bully, which is a person, often young, who harasses others. A schoolyard bully might call you names, steal your lunch money, and generally make your life miserable. Bullying is the act of being a bully. Believe it or not, bullying can be serious business with grave consequences. There are even laws that require schools to take action against bullying.

Example Sentences

The family’s attorney, Robert Glassman, said that, since taking on the case, his firm, Panish Shea Ravipudi, has been inundated with calls about bullying at LAUSD.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

But it found no evidence of "bullying" -- a charge that had been levelled at Harry by the organisation's chairperson, Sophie Chandauka, in March 2025.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The next day, Charlie and Emma begin discussing the circumstances that preceded her plan — depression, bullying, the black hole of the internet — before pausing for an appointment.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

In a whistleblowing disclosure, the volunteer directors also claimed there was a "bullying culture" at Pride in London.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Penelope replied: “He is no fool; he sees how it could be. Never were mortal men like these for bullying and brainless arrogance!”

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

Related Words

• imperious