noun
Common
bullying
BUU-lee-ihng
Bullying (noun) means Repeated aggressive behavior intended to intimidate, hurt, or make life difficult for someone perceived as weaker. Example: “Teachers must report any bullying they see in the playground straight away.”
noun
1
Repeated aggressive behavior intended to intimidate, hurt, or make life difficult for someone perceived as weaker.
"Teachers must report any bullying they see in the playground straight away."
"The school introduced a strict anti-bullying policy."
"Cyberbullying can be just as damaging as bullying in person."
How to use bullying
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ongoing act of intimidating or mistreating someone weaker than you.
Common pairings
anti-bullying
workplace bullying
victim of bullying
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Word forms
- Plural
- bullyings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Teachers must report any _____ they see in the playground straight away.
Etymology
From bully + the suffix -ing, forming the noun for the ongoing behavior.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for bullying
See all rhymes for bullying →Frequently asked questions
What does “bullying” mean?
The word “bullying” means repeated aggressive behavior intended to intimidate, hurt, or make life difficult for someone perceived as weaker. In plain terms, the ongoing act of intimidating or mistreating someone weaker than you.
How do you pronounce “bullying”?
“Bullying” is pronounced BUU-lee-ihng (/ˈbʊ.li.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bullying” in a sentence?
Here is “bullying” used in a sentence: “The school introduced a strict anti-bullying policy.”
What part of speech is “bullying”?
“Bullying” is a noun.
Is “bullying” a common word?
“Bullying” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between bullying and teasing?
Teasing is usually light, mutual, and playful, while bullying is repeated aggressive behavior meant to intimidate or hurt someone perceived as weaker. The defining differences are the intent to harm, the imbalance of power, and the repetition over time.
What is the difference between bullying and harassment?
Both involve unwanted aggressive behavior, but 'bullying' typically describes repeated intimidation of someone perceived as weaker, often among peers or children. 'Harassment' is a broader, often legal term for unwanted conduct, especially when it targets protected characteristics such as race or sex.
What are the main types of bullying?
Bullying commonly takes physical, verbal, and social forms, and it increasingly happens online as cyberbullying. All of them share the same core feature: repeated behavior intended to intimidate or hurt someone perceived as weaker.
What makes behaviour count as bullying rather than a one-off argument?
Bullying is defined by repetition and a power imbalance directed at someone perceived as weaker. A single disagreement or fight, without that ongoing pattern of intimidation, is usually treated as a conflict rather than bullying.
