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Glite Dictionary
to bullyrag

to bullyrag

9.9
To frighten or shout at someone to make them do what you want
  • verb
  • /ˈbʌliˌræɡ/
  • Offensive
translation icon : intimidar
  • The manager would often bullyrag his subordinates, making the workplace uncomfortable.

Examples

  • Her classmates tried to bullyrag her into joining their group, but she refused.

  • It's unfair to bullyrag someone for their mistakes instead of helping them improve.

  • Some people mistakenly believe they can bullyrag others to get their way.

  • Don't bullyrag your little sister!

  • The manager often bullyrags the new employees.

  • The coach would bullyrag the players during practice to push them harder.

  • Some students think it's fun to bullyrag others in the cafeteria, but that's not acceptable.

Synonyms

to taunt
vsto bullyrag
  • Offensive
93 5.8

To mock someone again and again to make them angry or upset

uses intimidation and bossy threats rather than mocking provocation
to bully
vsto bullyrag
  • Offensive
68 3.8

To scare or hurt someone, often someone weaker

adds repeated scolding and bossy pressure over time
to push around
vsto bullyrag
  • Informal
66 5.6

To treat someone in a bossy way so they do what you want

adds active scolding and direct intimidation more often than simple unfairness
to ride
vsto bullyrag
  • Offensive
62 7.5

To annoy someone by criticizing them again and again

adds intimidation and threats to the persistent criticism
to hound
vsto bullyrag
58 6.1

To follow and bother someone without stopping

adds targeted scolding and bossy threats as the main harassment method
to scold
vsto bullyrag
55 2.2

Speak angrily to someone who has done something wrong

is more repeated and intimidating through scolding, threats, or bossiness
to harass
vsto bullyrag
41 4.4

Attack an enemy again and again in small ways to wear them down

is verbal and bossy, stressing scolding and threats rather than tactical attack
to badger
vsto bullyrag
39 4.7

To annoy someone by asking them the same thing many times

uses scolding and threatening bossiness rather than mere pestering
to boss around
vsto bullyrag
  • Informal
37 4.5

Tell people what to do in a rude way when you have no right

uses that domineering behaviour with extra persistent scolding and threats
to strong-arm
vsto bullyrag
  • NSFW
15 7.5

To force someone to do something by threats or violence

uses repeated verbal bossiness and scolding as a main tactic
to browbeat
vsto bullyrag
9 8.1

To make someone do something by threatening them or using angry words

uses persistent scolding or bossiness as much as direct threats
to harangue
vsto bullyrag
7 8.9

To speak angrily to someone for a long time

is more about ongoing intimidation with scolding and direct threats
to bludgeon
vsto bullyrag
  • NSFW
6 8.2

To force someone to do something by threats or strong pressure

is less physical and more about persistent scolding and bossy threats
to harry
vsto bullyrag
3 7.6

To bother someone again and again so they feel upset or tired

emphasises scolding and bossy threats rather than general bothering
to hector
vsto bullyrag
3 8.4

To be bossy and scare someone into doing what you want

focuses more on ongoing scolding and direct threats rather than mere overbearing tone
to beleaguer
vsto bullyrag
2 8.6

To trouble or annoy someone again and again

focuses specifically on scolding and bossy intimidation rather than general trouble
to dragoon
vsto bullyrag
  • NSFW
1 9.7

To force someone to do something by threats or strong pressure

relies more on persistent scolding and repeated harassment than only authority
to ballyrag
vsto bullyrag
  • Archaic
9.9

Make someone feel bad by bossing or bullying them

has identical meaning and the same persistent bossy intimidation use

Antonyms

to encourage
∞ 2.3

Give someone support and confidence so they try or keep doing something

How Harassing

to terrorize
  • NSFW
145 6.7
to harass
302 4.0
to bullyrag
  • Offensive
9.9
to scold
55 2.2
to chide
22 7.0

Surface Forms

bullyrag infinitive
bullyragged past
bullyragged past participle
bullyragging present participle
bullyrags third person singular

Morphology

bullyrag = bully + rag (transparent) = bully + rag

The verb combines the meanings of 'bully' and the verb 'rag' (to scold/tease), so the sense 'intimidate or harass' is directly inferable.

Etymology

The word bullyrag joins bully (a person who 'pushes or frightens' others) and rag (a verb meaning 'to tease or scold'), so you can picture a bully teasing or bossing someone. That's why to bullyrag someone today means to intimidate or harass them with constant scolding, threats, or bossiness.