Bullying vs. Being Mean

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Bullying Chatboard

Bullying vs. Being Mean

by delehla

Sep 26, 2011

Is there a difference between bullying and just being mean? Doesn't bullying have to threaten or intimidate?

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Chan I'll let you decide for yourself.

Mean:

1. a. Selfish in a petty way; unkind. b. Cruel, spiteful, or malicious. 2. Ignoble; base: a mean motive. 3. Miserly; stingy. 4. a. Low in quality or grade; inferior. b. Low in value or amount; paltry: paid no mean amount for the new shoes. 5. Common or poor in appearance; shabby: "The rowhou...See MoreI'll let you decide for yourself.

Mean:

1. a. Selfish in a petty way; unkind. b. Cruel, spiteful, or malicious. 2. Ignoble; base: a mean motive. 3. Miserly; stingy. 4. a. Low in quality or grade; inferior. b. Low in value or amount; paltry: paid no mean amount for the new shoes. 5. Common or poor in appearance; shabby: "The rowhouses had been darkened by the rain and looked meaner and grimmer than ever" (Anne Tyler). 6. Low in social status; of humble origins. 7. Humiliated or ashamed. 8. In poor physical condition; sick or debilitated. 9. Extremely unpleasant or disagreeable: The meanest storm in years. 10. Informal Ill-tempered. 11. Slang a. Hard to cope with; difficult or troublesome: He throws a mean fast ball. b. Excellent; skillful: She plays a mean game of bridge.

Bully:

n. pl. bul·lies 1. A person who is habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people. 2. A hired ruffian; a thug. 3. A pimp. 4. Archaic A fine person. 5. Archaic A sweetheart. v. bul·lied, bul·ly·ing, bul·lies v.tr. 1. To treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner. See Synonyms at intimidate. 2. To make (one's way) aggressively. v.intr. 1. To behave like a bully. 2. To force one's way aggressively or by intimidation: "They bully into line at the gas pump" (Martin Gottfried). adj. Excellent; splendid: did a bully job of persuading the members. interj. Used to express approval: Bully for you!

n pl -lies 1. a person who hurts, persecutes, or intimidates weaker people 2. Archaic a hired ruffian 3. Obsolete a procurer; pimp 4. Obsolete a fine fellow or friend 5. Obsolete a sweetheart; darling vb -lies, -lying, -lied (when tr, often foll by into) to hurt, intimidate, or persecute (a weaker or smaller person), esp to make him do something adj 1. dashing; jolly my bully boy 2. Informal very good; fine interj Also bully for you, him, etc Informal well done! bravo!

bully - First meant lover or sweetheart, then fine fellow, then blusterer, then "person who harms or threatens weaker people."

On 9/26/11, delehla wrote: > Is there a difference between bullying and just being mean? > Doesn't bullying have to threaten or intimidate?

Sep 29, 2011

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Andrea I think that there is a difference in the meaning of the two words. Usually when a child is bullying someone else they are doing things to them such as pushing, breaking other people's things. Typically just being mean can be things such as not including them or spreading rumors about them. I think that both bullying and being mean are bad things. ...See More

Sep 29, 2011

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Leah In a broad sense they are the same. See the article below

Sep 29, 2011

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SAM On 9/26/11, delehla wrote: > Is there a difference between bullying and just being mean? > Doesn't bullying have to threaten or intimidate?

Bullying is a usually a form of aggressive behavior, which may bring about an abusive treatment, or the use of force or coercion to to get your way.

Just like bullying, being Mean is an ...See More

Sep 30, 2011

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