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: “The school introduced a strict anti-bullying policy.”

noun

Repeated aggressive behavior intended to intimidate, hurt, or make life difficult for someone perceived as weaker.

"The school introduced a strict anti-bullying policy."

"Cyberbullying can be just as damaging as bullying in person."

How to Use Bullying

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe ongoing act of intimidating or mistreating someone weaker than you.

Common pairings

anti-bullying workplace bullying victim of bullying

Word Forms

bullyings plural

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The school introduced a strict anti-_____ policy.

Etymology

From bully + the suffix -ing, forming the noun for the ongoing behavior.

Rhymes for bullying

Ying dying tying lying vying saying flying trying paying crying laying buying

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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.