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Bullying definition: Copy, customize, and use instantly

Introduction

The term "Bullying" refers to repeated aggressive behavior that targets individuals with the intention to cause harm, distress, or intimidate them. It can occur in various environments, such as workplaces, schools, or digital spaces, and often involves power imbalances between the bully and the victim. Bullying can take many forms, including physical, verbal, and psychological abuse, and it can significantly impact the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of the victim. Legal and organizational frameworks often seek to prevent and address bullying behavior to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved.

Below are various examples of how "Bullying" can be defined in different contexts. Copy the one that fits your needs, customize it, and use it in your contract.

Definition of "Bullying" as workplace bullying

This definition ties "Bullying" to aggressive behavior in the workplace setting, clarifying rights and actions to take when bullying occurs.

"Bullying" means any repeated, intentional actions that cause harm or distress to an individual in a workplace, including verbal threats, exclusion, intimidation, or physical aggression.

Definition of "Bullying" as school bullying

This definition connects "Bullying" to harmful behavior in educational institutions, addressing the unique challenges faced by students.

"Bullying" refers to repeated, aggressive actions directed toward a student or group of students, causing emotional, physical, or psychological harm, either in person or through online means.

Definition of "Bullying" as cyberbullying

This definition links "Bullying" to behavior that occurs in digital environments, specifying how it applies in online contexts.

"Bullying" means the use of electronic means, such as social media, messaging platforms, or online games, to harass, intimidate, or threaten another individual repeatedly.

Definition of "Bullying" as peer bullying

This definition applies "Bullying" to actions that involve one peer harming another, ensuring clarity in personal relationships.

"Bullying" refers to repeated, intentional harm inflicted by one individual on another within the context of a peer group, often involving verbal insults, exclusion, or physical intimidation.

Definition of "Bullying" as emotional bullying

This definition ties "Bullying" to emotional manipulation and harm, specifying the impact on the victim's emotional well-being.

"Bullying" refers to repeated, deliberate actions intended to manipulate, control, or harm an individual emotionally, such as through constant criticism, humiliation, or exclusion.

Definition of "Bullying" as verbal bullying

This definition connects "Bullying" to the use of language to inflict harm or distress on another individual.

"Bullying" means the use of hurtful, demeaning, or insulting language toward an individual, often intended to belittle or humiliate the victim.

Definition of "Bullying" as physical bullying

This definition links "Bullying" to physical aggression, including actions meant to harm or intimidate another person through physical force.

"Bullying" refers to any repeated physical harm or threat of harm inflicted upon an individual, including pushing, hitting, or other forms of physical aggression.

Definition of "Bullying" as workplace harassment

This definition applies "Bullying" to workplace harassment, clarifying the types of behavior that constitute bullying in a professional setting.

"Bullying" means any repetitive, unwelcome behavior in the workplace, including verbal abuse, intimidation, or sabotage, that creates a hostile or uncomfortable work environment.

Definition of "Bullying" as exclusionary bullying

This definition connects "Bullying" to social exclusion, where an individual is intentionally left out or isolated from a group.

"Bullying" refers to the intentional and repeated exclusion of an individual from group activities or social interactions, aimed at making the victim feel isolated or inferior.

Definition of "Bullying" as cyberbullying in schools

This definition links "Bullying" to online harassment that occurs within the context of a school environment.

"Bullying" means using digital platforms, such as social media, text messages, or emails, to harass, threaten, or intimidate a student, often leading to emotional distress or harm.

Definition of "Bullying" as retaliation bullying

This definition ties "Bullying" to actions taken in retaliation, often as a form of revenge or punishment.

"Bullying" refers to actions intended to punish or seek revenge on an individual for perceived wrongdoings, including verbal insults, physical aggression, or sabotage.

Definition of "Bullying" as group bullying

This definition connects "Bullying" to behavior carried out by a group of individuals against one person, amplifying the harm.

"Bullying" refers to any repeated behavior where a group of individuals targets one person for verbal, physical, or emotional harm, reinforcing the victim’s feelings of helplessness.

Definition of "Bullying" as schoolyard bullying

This definition applies "Bullying" to the specific context of school playgrounds or yards, focusing on physical and verbal aggression.

"Bullying" means any form of repeated verbal, physical, or psychological abuse directed at a student on school grounds, often involving power imbalances among peers.

Definition of "Bullying" as domestic bullying

This definition ties "Bullying" to the context of family or intimate relationships, where one individual targets another for repeated harm.

"Bullying" refers to any behavior where an individual in a family or intimate relationship uses control, intimidation, or abuse to dominate and harm another person over time.

This definition links "Bullying" to behavior in sports settings, clarifying the impact of aggression in team dynamics.

"Bullying" refers to any aggressive behavior in sports teams, including verbal insults, intimidation, or physical threats, aimed at undermining or harming a teammate or opponent.

This definition connects "Bullying" to actions that happen in the context of school disciplinary actions.

"Bullying" means the intentional targeting of a student by others through harassment or threats, often related to perceived school discipline violations, creating fear or distress.

Definition of "Bullying" as hate-driven bullying

This definition links "Bullying" to actions driven by prejudice, racism, or hatred against a particular group or individual.

"Bullying" refers to any repeated behavior directed at an individual based on their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or other identity factors, with the intent to harm or intimidate.

Definition of "Bullying" as sexual bullying

This definition ties "Bullying" to sexually inappropriate actions or harassment.

"Bullying" refers to any unwanted sexual attention, comments, or gestures directed at an individual, often causing distress or fear.

This definition connects "Bullying" to harassment in professional environments using social media platforms.

"Bullying" means the use of social media to make threatening, demeaning, or harmful posts, comments, or messages about a coworker with the intent to harm their reputation or mental well-being.

Definition of "Bullying" as identity-based bullying

This definition connects "Bullying" to behavior targeting an individual based on their identity, such as gender, race, or sexual orientation.

"Bullying" refers to actions that single out and harass an individual because of their personal identity, leading to emotional, physical, or psychological harm.

Definition of "Bullying" as passive-aggressive bullying

This definition links "Bullying" to indirect or subtle forms of bullying, such as passive-aggressive behavior.

"Bullying" means actions where harm is inflicted through passive-aggressive behavior, such as backhanded compliments, spreading rumors, or withholding assistance, which subtly undermines the victim.

Definition of "Bullying" as malicious rumor spreading

This definition connects "Bullying" to the deliberate spreading of false information to harm someone's reputation.

"Bullying" refers to the intentional spreading of false, harmful rumors about an individual to damage their reputation, relationships, or standing in a community or workplace.

Definition of "Bullying" as family bullying

This definition ties "Bullying" to harmful behaviors that occur within a family setting, such as emotional or verbal abuse between family members.

"Bullying" refers to repeated, harmful actions by one family member toward another, including emotional or verbal abuse, that creates distress or power imbalances.

Definition of "Bullying" as peer pressure bullying

This definition links "Bullying" to the use of peer pressure to manipulate or coerce others into harmful actions or behavior.

"Bullying" means any repeated action where an individual or group uses peer pressure to force someone to conform to behavior or actions that cause harm, distress, or danger.

Definition of "Bullying" as financial bullying

This definition ties "Bullying" to coercion or harm related to financial control or manipulation.

"Bullying" refers to the use of financial control, threats, or manipulation to create distress or dependence in an individual, often taking place in relationships or workplace settings.

Definition of "Bullying" as workplace bullying through gossip

This definition connects "Bullying" to harmful behavior involving the spread of gossip or false information to undermine a colleague.

"Bullying" means the repeated spreading of harmful or false gossip in the workplace to damage an individual’s reputation, social standing, or career.

Definition of "Bullying" as jealousy-driven bullying

This definition links "Bullying" to behavior driven by jealousy or resentment toward the victim.

"Bullying" refers to any harmful action or behavior directed at an individual due to jealousy, such as undermining their achievements, spreading rumors, or isolating them.

Definition of "Bullying" as discriminatory bullying

This definition applies "Bullying" to actions that target individuals based on their social or cultural identity.

"Bullying" refers to actions that discriminate against individuals based on their ethnicity, social class, or cultural background, resulting in harm or distress.

Definition of "Bullying" in school environments

This definition connects "Bullying" to actions that occur in educational settings.

"Bullying" refers to repeated aggressive behavior, often involving physical or verbal attacks, directed at a student or group of students in school settings, which causes harm or distress.

Definition of "Bullying" in the workplace

This definition links "Bullying" to actions in a professional environment.

"Bullying" in the workplace involves the use of force, threats, or coercion against employees or colleagues, creating a hostile and intimidating environment that affects their work performance and well-being.

This definition ties "Bullying" to online environments and digital spaces.

"Bullying" refers to aggressive behavior exhibited through digital platforms, including cyberbullying, where individuals use social media or messaging services to harass, threaten, or intimidate others.

Definition of "Bullying" as a pattern of harmful behavior

This definition focuses on the repetitive nature of bullying.

"Bullying" is the continuous and intentional act of intimidating, abusing, or coercing someone over time, whether in physical, verbal, or emotional forms, which results in harm to the victim.

Definition of "Bullying" as verbal harassment

This definition connects "Bullying" to verbal aggression.

"Bullying" includes the use of hurtful language, insults, name-calling, or mocking that creates emotional distress and undermines the confidence of the person being targeted.

Definition of "Bullying" as emotional manipulation

This definition ties "Bullying" to manipulation tactics used in personal relationships.

"Bullying" involves using emotional manipulation, such as guilt-tripping or gaslighting, to control or belittle another person, often leading to long-term psychological effects on the victim.

Definition of "Bullying" in institutional settings

This definition connects "Bullying" to the actions of those in power within organizations or institutions.

"Bullying" in institutional settings refers to the misuse of authority by individuals in positions of power to intimidate, degrade, or control subordinates, creating an atmosphere of fear and distress.

This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Cobrief is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.

Last updated 30 Mar 2025