bullying

Bullying is when someone repeatedly picks on or mistreats another person, often because they think it's funny or cool. Bullying can happen anywhere, from schools to workplaces.

When people talk about bullying, they usually mean a situation where someone, often younger or weaker, is being targeted and made to feel scared, sad, or powerless by an older or stronger person. This can be physical, like pushing or hitting, but also verbal, like name-calling or spreading rumors, or even online, like sending hurtful messages or posting mean comments on social media. Sometimes people use the word bullying when describing a boss or authority figure who's being very harsh or unfair, too.