bully
Synonyms:
(noun) bullyboy, hector, intimidator.
(verb) abuse, browbeat, brutalize, coerce, cow, ill-treat, ill-use, kick around, maltreat, manhandle, mess over [slang], mishandle, mistreat, misuse, terrorize, tyrannize.
Related Words:
(noun) bulldozer, oppressor, pest, persecutor, rascal, rowdy, ruffian, tease, tough.
(verb) bludgeon, coerce, harass, hector, oppress, persecute, threaten, torment, torture.
Synonym Study (Merriam-Webster):
Intimidate, cow, bulldoze, bully, and browbeat mean to frighten into submission.
Intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another:
intimidated by so many other bright freshmen.
Cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost:
not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business.
Bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats:
bulldozed the city council into approving the plan.
Bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior:
bullied into giving up their lunch money.
Browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment:
browbeat the witness into a contradiction.
Origin:
First recorded in 1530–40, bully is from the Middle Dutch word boele lover. [British:] First recorded in 1530–40, bully is from the Middle Dutch word boele lover. —Dictionary.com. // First Known Use of bully: Noun (1): 1538. Verb: 1693. Adjective: 1844. Noun (2): 1753. History and Etymology for bully: Noun (1), Verb, and Adjective: probably from Middle Dutch boele lover; akin to Middle Low German bōle lover, Middle High German buole. Noun (2): probably modification of French (bœuf) boulli boiled beef. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
Added: 16 July 2020 {9:36 AM}
(noun) bullyboy, hector, intimidator.
(verb) abuse, browbeat, brutalize, coerce, cow, ill-treat, ill-use, kick around, maltreat, manhandle, mess over [slang], mishandle, mistreat, misuse, terrorize, tyrannize.
Related Words:
(noun) bulldozer, oppressor, pest, persecutor, rascal, rowdy, ruffian, tease, tough.
(verb) bludgeon, coerce, harass, hector, oppress, persecute, threaten, torment, torture.
Synonym Study (Merriam-Webster):
Intimidate, cow, bulldoze, bully, and browbeat mean to frighten into submission.
Intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another:
intimidated by so many other bright freshmen.
Cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost:
not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business.
Bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats:
bulldozed the city council into approving the plan.
Bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior:
bullied into giving up their lunch money.
Browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment:
browbeat the witness into a contradiction.
Origin:
First recorded in 1530–40, bully is from the Middle Dutch word boele lover. [British:] First recorded in 1530–40, bully is from the Middle Dutch word boele lover. —Dictionary.com. // First Known Use of bully: Noun (1): 1538. Verb: 1693. Adjective: 1844. Noun (2): 1753. History and Etymology for bully: Noun (1), Verb, and Adjective: probably from Middle Dutch boele lover; akin to Middle Low German bōle lover, Middle High German buole. Noun (2): probably modification of French (bœuf) boulli boiled beef. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
Added: 16 July 2020 {9:36 AM}