bully
bully
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling of "bully" is:
ˈbʊli
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ˈbʊl: This syllable consists of three sounds:
ˈb: A voiced bilabial plosive, pronounced with a quick burst of air from the lips.
ʊ: A rounded vowel sound, similar to the "oo" sound in "book."
l: A voiced alveolar lateral liquid, pronounced by placing the tongue against the alveolar ridge and allowing air to flow over the sides.
i: This syllable contains a single sound:
i: A high front unrounded vowel, similar to the "ee" sound in "feet."
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: bully
Plural: bullies
Verb:
Present tense: bully, bullies
Past tense: bullied
Past participle: bullied
Present participle: bullying
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable.
Synonyms: tyrant, oppressor, tormentor, intimidator
Antonyms: victim, underdog, pushover
Verb
Definition: To intimidate, frighten, or coerce someone, often through the use of force or threats.
Synonyms: intimidate, harass, torment, pick on
Antonyms: comfort, soothe, reassure
Adjective
Definition: Used to describe something that is excellent or outstanding.
Informal usage
Synonyms: great, fantastic, wonderful, superb
Antonyms: poor, terrible, awful
Examples of Use
Noun Usage:
Literature: In J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, Draco Malfoy is often portrayed as a bully who torments Harry and his friends.
Newspapers: "School bullying on the rise, experts warn" (The New York Times)
Online Publications: "Cyberbullying: The Silent Epidemic" (Psychology Today)
Verb Usage:
Movies: In the movie Mean Girls, the character Regina George bullies other students through social manipulation and rumors.
Television: In the TV show The Office, Michael Scott sometimes bullies his employees, often unintentionally.
General Discourse: "Don't let anyone bully you into doing something you don't want to do."
Adjective Usage (Informal):
Social Media: "That new restaurant is bully! The food is amazing." (Twitter)
Slang: "That's a bully idea!" (Spoken conversation)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Bully
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent—but a bully will certainly try." – Eleanor Roosevelt (paraphrased)
"A bully is not a hero; he is a coward with a loud voice." – (Original quote)
"The best way to defeat a bully is to take away his audience." – Barack Obama (paraphrased from a speech on bullying prevention)
"Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent from the bully." – Jonathan Swift
"The moment you stand up to a bully, he ceases to be one." – Unknown
"A bully is always a coward, even when he struts." – (Original quote)
"Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke." – Benjamin Disraeli
"Bullies thrive on silence. Speak up, and they shrink away." – (Original quote)
"The real test of character is how you treat those who have no power—bullies always fail this test." – (Original quote)
"History is filled with bullies who thought they were kings." – (Original quote)
Etymology
The word "bully" has an interesting history. It didn't always mean what it does today.
Originally, in the 1500s, "bully" was used as a term of endearment, kind of like calling someone "sweetheart" or "darling." It came from the Dutch word "boel," which meant "lover" or "brother."
Over time, the meaning changed. By the 17th century, "bully" started to mean someone who was a bit of a show-off or a tough guy. Then, it took on the negative meaning we know today, referring to someone who intimidates or hurts others.
So, while "bully" began as a word of affection, it's taken a rather unpleasant turn.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Bully
Phrases:
Bully for you: This is an ironic expression used to sarcastically congratulate someone on a minor achievement, often expressing indifference or disapproval.
Bully pulpit: This refers to a position of authority that provides a platform to express opinions and influence public opinion.
Idioms with Similar Meaning:
Pick on: This means to single someone out for unfair treatment or criticism.
Intimidate: To frighten someone, especially by threatening them.
Boss around: To give orders in a domineering way.
Push around: To treat someone unfairly or with disrespect.
While there aren't many common idioms directly using "bully," these related phrases and idioms capture the essence of bullying behavior and can be used in various contexts.
Posts Related to Bully
Source Information
Definition of bully from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
