Phrase guide

boss around

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To act in a bossy manner with another person, ordering them to do things, whether or not one is actually their superior.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

be bossy towards

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Her big brother always bullied her when she was young

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: strong-arm, bully, browbeat, bullyrag, ballyrag, hector, push around

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: intimidate

Narrower terms: tyrannize, tyrannise, domineer

History

Etymology

* From boss and around.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: командоря (komandorja) — to act in a bossy manner
  • Finnish: komennella — to act in a bossy manner
  • French: mener à la baguette — to act in a bossy manner
  • German: herumkommandieren — to act in a bossy manner
  • Spanish: mandonear — to act in a bossy manner
  • Spanish: señorear — to act in a bossy manner