Bullying is a behavior involving repeated aggressive actions intended to harm or intimidate others, often by someone perceived as more powerful. The term originates from the noun "bully," which first appeared between 1675 and 1685.
The word "bully" was initially recorded in the late 17th century. Its usage evolved to describe someone who habitually intimidates or mistreats others. The suffix "-ing" was later added to form "bullying," signifying the ongoing nature of such behavior.
Bullying, historically rooted in power imbalance, remains a pervasive social issue defined by repeated harmful actions targeting vulnerable individuals.