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Bully Wasn't Always Negative
The earliest meaning of English bully was “sweetheart.” The word was probably borrowed from Dutch boel, “lover.” Later bully was used for anyone who seemed a good fellow, then for a blustering daredevil. Today, a bully is usually one whose claims to strength and courage are based on the intimidation of those who are weaker.
Synonyms
Noun (1)
Verb
- abuse
- brutalize
- ill-treat
- ill-use
- kick around
- maltreat
- manhandle
- mess over [slang]
- mishandle
- mistreat
- misuse
Adjective
- A-OK
- A1
- awesome
- bang-up
- banner
- beautiful
- blue-chip
- blue-ribbon
- boffo
- bonny [chiefly British]
- bonnie
- boss [slang]
- brag
- brave
- bumper
- capital
- choice
- classic
- cool [slang]
- corking
- crackerjack
- cracking
- dandy
- divine
- dope [slang]
- down [slang]
- dynamite
- excellent
- fab
- fabulous
- famous
- fantabulous [slang]
- fantastic
- fine
- first-class
- first-rate
- first-string
- five-star
- four-star
- frontline
- gangbusters
- gangbuster
- gilt-edged
- gilt-edge
- gone [slang]
- grand
- great
- groovy
- heavenly
- high-class
- hot
- hype [slang]
- immense
- jim-dandy
- keen
- lovely
- marvelous
- marvellous
- mean
- neat
- nifty
- noble
- number one
- No. 1
- numero uno
- out-of-sight [slang]
- par excellence
- peachy
- peachy keen
- phat [slang]
- prime
- primo [slang]
- prize
- prizewinning
- quality
- radical [slang]
- righteous [slang]
- sensational
- slick
- splendid
- stellar
- sterling
- superb
- superior
- superlative
- supernal
- swell
- terrific
- tip-top
- top
- top-notch
- top-of-the-line
- top-shelf
- topflight
- topping [chiefly British]
- unsurpassed
- wizard [chiefly British]
- wonderful
Examples of bully in a Sentence
Danny Horn, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2024
Resetting the line of scrimmage is usually a factor when the Dolphins play AFC bullies such as Buffalo and Kansas City.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2024
Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2024
Nikki Reed’s Evie Zamora follows a traditional enough arc, at least at first, bullying and teasing Evan Rachel Wood’s Tracy Freeland for her clothing and attitude.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bully 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bully.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near bully
Cite this Entry
“Bully.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bully. Accessed 2 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bully
1 of 2 noun
bully
2 of 2 verb
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