Bully vs. Thug — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 17, 2024
Bully uses intimidation or coercion in social settings, focusing on repeated behavior; thug typically implies criminal or violent behavior, often linked to gangs.
Difference Between Bully and Thug
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A bully is often someone who habitually intimidates or coerces individuals perceived as vulnerable, primarily within social or educational contexts. On the other hand, a thug is generally associated with criminality and violence, often connected to gangs or organized crime.
Bullying involves repeated aggressive actions intended to hurt another individual physically or emotionally, where power dynamics play a crucial role. Whereas thuggery is characterized by violent behavior, used to assert dominance or control within illicit contexts, not necessarily repetitive with respect to specific targets.
Bullies might use threats, physical force, or psychological manipulation to exert control. Thugs, on the other hand, are often involved in more extreme acts like physical assaults, robberies, or other criminal activities.
The societal reaction to bullies and thugs also differs; bullying is addressed through school policies, parental intervention, and counseling. Meanwhile, thuggish behavior might warrant police involvement and legal action, reflecting its seriousness.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Uses intimidation or coercion, often in schools.
Engages in violent, criminal activities.
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Common Context
Social, educational settings.
Criminal activities, often in gangs.
Behavioral Nature
Often psychological, sometimes physical.
Primarily physical and overtly aggressive.
Societal Response
Counseling, school policies.
Legal action, police intervention.
Compare with Definitions
Bully
To act aggressively towards someone to force them to do something.
He tried to bully his classmates into giving him their lunch money.
Thug
A person characterized by brutal behavior and lawlessness.
He became known as a thug in his neighborhood.
Bully
A person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable.
The bully targeted younger students in the playground.
Thug
Member of a gang involved in criminal activities.
Local thugs are controlling the street corners.
Bully
Using strength or influence to intimidate someone.
They bullied him into signing the document.
Thug
An enforcer for criminal or illegal activities.
The thug collected protection money from businesses.
Bully
Dominating others in an unkind manner, often without reason.
Her tendency to bully others made her unpopular.
Thug
A violent person, especially a criminal.
Thugs smashed the shop windows and looted goods.
Bully
Coercing or intimidating others to assert dominance.
The team leader bullied the new recruits relentlessly.
Thug
Someone who engages in violence and crime.
Thugs were hired to disrupt the peaceful protest.
Bully
A person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable
He is a ranting, domineering bully
Thug
A cutthroat or ruffian; a hoodlum.
Bully
Corned beef.
Thug
Also Thug One of a group of professional criminals, devotees of Kali, who robbed and murdered travelers in northern India until the mid-1800s.
Bully
An act of starting play in field hockey, in which two opponents strike each other's sticks three times and then go for the ball.
Thug
Someone with an intimidating and unseemly appearance and mannerisms, who treats others violently and roughly, often for hire.
Bully
Seek to harm, intimidate, or coerce (someone perceived as vulnerable)
A local man was bullied into helping them
Her 11- year-old son has been constantly bullied at school
Thug
(historical) One of a band of assassins formerly active in northern India who worshipped Kali and offered their victims to her.
Bully
(in field hockey) start play with a bully.
Thug
(horticulture) An over-vigorous plant that spreads and dominates the flowerbed.
Bully
Very good; excellent
The statue really looked bully
Thug
A punk; a hoodlum; a hooligan.
Bully
A person who is habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller, weaker, less popular, or more vulnerable people.
Thug
A wooden bat used in the game of miniten, fitting around the player's hand.
Bully
A hired ruffian; a thug.
Thug
(AAVE) One who, usually as a result of social disadvantage, has turned to committing crimes (e.g. selling drugs, robbery, assault, etc.) to make a living; a gangsta.
Bully
A pimp.
Thug
To commit acts of thuggery, to live the life of a thug, or to dress and act in a manner reminiscent of someone who does.
Bully
(Archaic) A fine person.
Thug
One of an association of robbers and murderers in India who practiced murder by stealthy approaches, and from religious motives. They have been nearly exterminated by the British government.
Bully
(Archaic) A sweetheart.
Thug
An assassin; a ruffian; a rough.
Bully
Canned or pickled beef. Also called bully beef.
Thug
An aggressive and violent young criminal
Bully
To hurt or intimidate (someone) in the manner of a bully.
Bully
To make (one's way) aggressively.
Bully
To behave like a bully.
Bully
To force one's way aggressively or by intimidation
“They bully into line at the gas pump” (Martin Gottfried).
Bully
Excellent; splendid
Did a bully job of persuading the members.
Bully
Used to express approval
Bully for you!.
Bully
A person who is intentionally physically or emotionally cruel to others, especially to those whom they perceive as being vulnerable or of less power or privilege.
A playground bully pushed a girl off the swing.
I noticed you being a bully towards people with disabilities.
Bully
A noisy, blustering, tyrannical person, more insolent than courageous; one who is threatening and quarrelsome.
Bully
A hired thug.
Bully
A sex worker’s minder.
Bully
(uncountable) Bully beef.
Bully
(obsolete) A brisk, dashing fellow.
Bully
The small scrum in the Eton College field game.
Bully
Any of various small freshwater or brackishwater fish of the family Eleotridae; sleeper gobies. The common bully, Gobiomorphus cotidianus
Bully
An (eldest) brother; a fellow workman; comrade
Bully
(dialectal) A companion; mate male or female.
Bully
(obsolete) A darling, sweetheart male or female.
Bully
(field hockey) A standoff between two players from the opposing teams, who repeatedly hit each other's hockey sticks and then attempt to acquire the ball, as a method of resuming the game in certain circumstances.
Bully
(mining) A miner's hammer.
Bully
(transitive) To intimidate (someone) as a bully.
You shouldn't bully people for being weak.
Bully
(transitive) To act aggressively towards.
Bully
Very good.
A bully horse
Bully
Jovial and blustering.
Bully
Well done!
Bully, she's finally asked for that promotion!
Bully
A noisy, blustering fellow, more insolent than courageous, who threatens, intimidates, or badgers people who are smaller or weaker than he is; an insolent, tyrannical fellow.
Bullies seldom execute the threats they deal in.
Bully
A brisk, dashing fellow.
Bully
Pickled or canned beef.
Bully
Jovial and blustering; dashing.
Bully
Fine; excellent; as, a bully horse.
Bully
To intimidate or badger with threats and by an overbearing, swaggering demeanor; to act the part of a bully{1} toward.
For the last fortnight there have been prodigious shoals of volunteers gone over to bully the French, upon hearing the peace was just signing.
Bully
To act as a bully{1}.
Bully
Well done! Excellent!
Bully
A cruel and brutal fellow
Bully
Be bossy towards;
Her big brother always bullied her when she was young
Bully
Discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
Bully
Very good;
He did a bully job
A neat sports car
Had a great time at the party
You look simply smashing
Common Curiosities
What are the typical consequences for thuggish behavior?
Thuggish behavior can lead to arrest, criminal charges, and imprisonment due to its violent and illegal nature.
What differentiates a bully from a thug?
A bully intimidates or coerces within social settings, often non-criminally, while a thug engages in overt criminal or violent acts.
Is bullying only physical?
No, bullying can also be verbal, psychological, or cyber, involving harassment or intimidation without physical contact.
How can bullying be prevented?
Effective prevention includes school anti-bullying programs, parental oversight, counseling, and fostering inclusive environments.
Can a thug also be a bully?
Yes, thugs can exhibit bullying behavior, especially within their own groups or towards weaker individuals.
How do societal views differ between bullies and thugs?
Society often views bullies as needing behavior correction and support, while thugs are seen as needing legal intervention.
Is bullying considered a crime?
Bullying is not always classified as a crime, but repeated harassment can lead to criminal charges.
Do bullies target specific individuals?
Bullies often target individuals they perceive as vulnerable or different, due to factors like physical size, personality, or social status.
How do victims of bullies and thugs differ in their responses?
Victims of bullies might seek help from teachers or parents, while victims of thugs might require police intervention.
Can bullying escalate into thuggish behavior?
Yes, unchecked bullying can escalate into more severe, even criminal, behavior as individuals grow older.
Are all thugs violent?
While thuggery often involves violence, some thugs may engage primarily in intimidation or other non-violent criminal acts.
How do movies and media portray bullies and thugs?
Movies often depict bullies as antagonists in school settings and thugs in more serious criminal roles.
Can bullying and thuggery be rehabilitated?
Both behaviors can be addressed through intervention programs, though rehabilitation often requires addressing deeper social and psychological issues.
Are there legal penalties for bullying?
Depending on severity, bullying can lead to disciplinary actions in schools, civil lawsuits, or even criminal charges if severe.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
