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   Bul·ly

   /ˈbo͝olē/

   

   noun

   • 1. a person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable: "he is a ranting, domineering bully"

   verb

   • 1. seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce (someone perceived as vulnerable): "her 11- year-old son has been constantly bullied at school" Similar persecuteoppresstyrannizetormentbrowbeatintimidatecowcoercestrong-armsubjugatedomineerinformal:push aroundplay the heavy withcoercepressurepressurizebring pressure to bear onuse pressure onput pressure onconstrainlean onpresspushforcecompelobligeput under an obligationhoundharassnagharrybadgergoadprodpesterbrowbeatbrainwashbludgeonpersuadeprevail onwork onact oninfluenceintimidatedragoontwist someone's armstrong-armblackjackinformal:bulldozerailroadput the screws/squeeze onbouncehustlefast-talk

   Word Origin mid 16th century: probably from Middle Dutch boele ‘lover’. Original use was as a term of endearment applied to either sex; it later became a familiar form of address to a male friend. The current sense dates from the late 17th century.

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • B

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   • U

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   • L

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   • L

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   • Y

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