bullies
They pick on others
Bullies is the plural of bully—people who habitually intimidate, threaten, or harm those they perceive as weaker: The bullies cornered him after school.
As a verb form, bullies means to intimidate or coerce: She bullies her younger siblings into doing her chores.
The word implies a power imbalance and repeated behavior rather than isolated conflict.
One who causes anguish
- harasserOne who intimidates repeatedly
- persecutorOne who harasses relentlessly
- oppressorOne who dominates cruelly
- abuserOne who mistreats others
antagonist · intimidator · thug · ruffian · hooligan · instigator · bruiser · goon
Instill fear to control
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
- coerceObtain by intimidation
- harassPersistently torment someone
- tauntInsulting provocation
mock · belittle · demean · humiliate · exclude · spread rumors · name-calling · ridicule
Children's outdoor recreation space
- recessPause in activity
- locker roomShared space for dressing
- cafeteriaSelf-service dining facility
- bus stopPassenger pickup location
hallway · cliques · teasing · wedgies · swirlies · shoving · tripping · lunch money
Emotional response to threat
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- humiliationLoss of dignity
helplessness · isolation · exclusion · vulnerability · self-doubt · loneliness · shame · embarrassment
Superior influence over others
- controlAuthority to direct
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
manipulation · hierarchy · abuse of power · strong-arm · overbearing · tyrannical · domineering · supremacy
Workplace superior
- managerOne who directs others
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- micromanagerOne who overcontrols subordinates
- underminingWeakening by covert means
sabotage · gaslighting · mobbing · HR · hostile · toxic · retaliation · favoritism
tormentor
One who causes anguish
- harasserOne who intimidates repeatedly
- persecutorOne who harasses relentlessly
- oppressorOne who dominates cruelly
abuser · antagonist · intimidator · thug · ruffian · hooligan · instigator · bruiser · goon · tough
intimidate
Instill fear to control
taunt · mock · belittle · demean · humiliate · exclude · spread rumors · name-calling · ridicule · ostracize
playground
Children's outdoor recreation space
- recessPause in activity
- locker roomShared space for dressing
- cafeteriaSelf-service dining facility
bus stop · hallway · cliques · teasing · wedgies · swirlies · shoving · tripping · lunch money · gossip
fear
Emotional response to threat
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- traumaLasting psychological wound
humiliation · helplessness · isolation · exclusion · vulnerability · self-doubt · loneliness · shame · embarrassment · withdrawal
dominance
Superior influence over others
- controlAuthority to direct
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
coercion · manipulation · hierarchy · abuse of power · strong-arm · overbearing · tyrannical · domineering · supremacy · subjugation
boss
Workplace superior
- managerOne who directs others
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- micromanagerOne who overcontrols subordinates
undermining · sabotage · gaslighting · mobbing · HR · hostile · toxic · retaliation · favoritism · scapegoating
trolls
Deliberate online agitators
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- doxxingPublishing personal information maliciously
- flamingOn fire, or online attacks
pile-on · cancel · brigading · anonymous · blocking · reporting · screenshots · viral · comments · catfishing
- childhoodchildhood, baby, child, kid, toys
- naughty listbad kids, troublemakers, liars, cheaters, spoiled brats
- tormentorstormentor, tormenter, torturer, torturers, persecutor
- school lifeschool, teacher, classroom, homework, grades
- criticscritic, critics, criticizer, criticizers, faultfinder
- enemiesenemy, foe, foes, adversary, nemesis