3 Ways To Defend Against Verbal Bullying - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Defend Against Verbal Bullying PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Klare Heston, LCSW

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Approved

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  • Reacting to Verbal Attacks
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  • Taking Appropriate Action
    • |
  • Addressing Your Emotional Needs
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  • Video
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  • Expert Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Klare Heston, LCSW. Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR). There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 308,758 times.

You might encounter verbal bullying in many areas of life, such as at school, at work, or in your own social group. Below-the-belt insults, sarcastic remarks, or outright hateful comments—how do you defend against them? Defend against verbal bullying by staying calm and responding to the attack. Then, take the necessary action to prevent recurring attacks. In addition, follow some strategies to care for yourself after dealing with verbal bullying.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Reacting to Verbal Attacks

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  1. Step 1 Remain calm. 1 Remain calm. The whole point of a verbal bully’s attacks is to unsettle you, so don’t give them the satisfaction. Stay calm, cool and collected despite any taunts or insults. To do this, it may help to breathe deeply, count silently, or mentally repeat an affirmation, such as “I will remain calm.”[1]
  2. Step 2 Dismiss the person’s attack. 2 Dismiss the person’s attack. Ignoring the person is an option. An even more powerful response, however, is to make it clear to the person that the remark doesn’t bother you.[2]
    • Make eye contact with the person, then shake your head in dismissal and look away.
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  3. Step 3 Agree with them, if it's true. 3 Agree with them, if it's true. Most verbal bullying is carried out because the person hopes to offend you. If you can see any truth to their comment, throw the attacker off balance by agreeing with them. When you accept the statement, it loses its power and the attacker loses relevance.[3]
    • For example, someone says “You’re fat,” you might say “You’re right. I am fat."
  4. Step 4 Dismantle the attack. 4 Dismantle the attack. Avoid becoming defensive with the person. Instead, put the attacker in the hot seat by pulling apart their remark. Analyze the remark and ask questions about it.
    • For example, someone says, “You’re stupid.” You might respond with “Wow, stupid is such a strong word. Is there a reason you’re trying to insult me?”[4]
    • However, if the bullying behavior is out of control or you feel unsafe, do not have any contact with the attacker. Just walk away.
  5. Step 5 Play the kind parent. 5 Play the kind parent. If you witness someone else being verbally attacked, help defend them by bringing the attacker's common decency into question. In response to their "bad parent" role, play the role of the overly kind parent.[5]
    • For instance, if the attacker calls your friend a name, you might say, "Carl, name-calling doesn't look good on you. Show everyone that there's a decent human being under there somewhere."
    • They'll likely feel shamed by their behavior and apologize.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Taking Appropriate Action

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  1. Step 1 Leave if you feel unsafe. 1 Leave if you feel unsafe. If verbal bullying makes you feel physically in danger, don’t try to engage with the person any further. Leave the environment right away and go to a public place with others.[6]
  2. Step 2 Tell someone in authority. 2 Tell someone in authority. If you are a student, tell a teacher, coach, or school counselor. If verbal bullying happens at your workplace, talk to a supervisor or human resources administrator. The point is to tell someone in a position of authority, who can stop the bullying.[7]
    • If the first person you tell about verbal bullying does not take action, keep telling someone until something changes.
  3. Step 3 Terminate your relationship with the attacker. 3 Terminate your relationship with the attacker. Sometimes those who attack you verbally are supposedly people who care about you. Friends or family members may insult you or make subtle remarks that hurt your feelings. When this happens, get distance from the person.[8]
    • If at all possible, end the relationship and avoid the person completely.
    • If you are unable to completely cut the person from your life, take measures to limit your contact with them. Also, avoid being alone with them whenever possible.
  4. Step 4 Draw a boundary. 4 Draw a boundary. Just because someone bullies you, you don’t have to play the role of “victim.” Stand up for yourself and let the person know that you will not accept verbal bullying. Do this by enforcing your personal boundaries.[9]
    • For instance, tell the person, “I refuse to be insulted. If you cannot talk to me respectfully, do not talk to me at all.” You might also say, “I will not accept verbal attacks. If you continue, I will leave.”
    • You may also want to add, "You are wasting your time because I know that only weak people bully."
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Addressing Your Emotional Needs

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  1. Step 1 Identify your strengths. 1 Identify your strengths. Verbal bullying can make you doubt yourself. The best way to overcome self-doubt and improve your confidence is by recognizing your personal strengths. You can do this by thinking of the traits and skills at which you excel. If you have trouble identifying your strengths, ask a friend.[10]
    • Write out your strengths on a sheet of paper. At the start of each day, read them aloud and place “I am…” in front of each strength.
    • For instance, you might say, “I am an excellent guitarist” or “I am kind to others.” Recite your list daily.
  2. Step 2 Surround yourself with supportive people. 2 Surround yourself with supportive people. Counteract the negative effects of verbal bullying by spending time with the right people. Choose to surround yourself with positive and supportive individuals who value what you bring to the table.[11]
    • Reduce the time you spend with negative, toxic people who criticize you or influence you to engage in unhealthy habits.
  3. Step 3 Forgive the attacker. 3 Forgive the attacker. One way to counteract the effects of verbal bullying is by practicing compassion. This may be hard to do to someone who says mean things about you. But don’t view it as something you are doing for them—do it for yourself.
    • Holding on to resentment and anger will only make you suffer. Instead choose to let those feelings go and forgive the bully.[12]
    • Write them a letter describing the bullying and how it made you feel. Express everything that you would like to say to the person. Read the letter aloud. Afterwards, says “Despite all this, I forgive you.” Then, destroy the letter and all the negative feelings associated with it.
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Protect Yourself from Deceitful People with this Expert Series

Do you have liars or people who like to bully and gossip in your life? It can be hard to know what's real when the people around you aren't truthful, so we've put together this expert series to help you protect yourself from lying, bullying, and gossip. 1 - Deal With People Who Exaggerate 1 Deal With People Who Exaggerate 2 - Deal With a Liar 2 Deal With a Liar 3 - Deal With a Compulsive Liar 3 Deal With a Compulsive Liar 4 - Deal With Drama Queens or Kings 4 Deal With Drama Queens or Kings 5 - Deal With Bullying, Gossip and Rumors 5 Deal With Bullying, Gossip and Rumors 6 - Tell when Your Friend Is Lying 6 Tell when Your Friend Is Lying

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question What is considered verbal harassment? Klare Heston, LCSW Klare Heston, LCSW Licensed Social Worker Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR). Klare Heston, LCSW Klare Heston, LCSW Licensed Social Worker Expert Answer Repeated name calling, especially with foul language, is one example. Verbal harassment usually occurs repeatedly over time. It usually involves putting the other person down and elevating yourself. It is like hitting except without any hands! Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 45
  • Question How do you win a verbal fight? Klare Heston, LCSW Klare Heston, LCSW Licensed Social Worker Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR). Klare Heston, LCSW Klare Heston, LCSW Licensed Social Worker Expert Answer It might be better to end the verbal fight rather than thinking of it in terms of winning. If you are focused on winning, you will probably escalate the verbal fight. State your position succinctly and walk away. You can also say, "Let's agree to disagree." Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 24 Helpful 31
  • Question How do you defend yourself in a fight and fight back? Klare Heston, LCSW Klare Heston, LCSW Licensed Social Worker Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR). Klare Heston, LCSW Klare Heston, LCSW Licensed Social Worker Expert Answer Stay in touch with your own power. Hold yourself erect, make eye contact, and use short sentences. You can say something like, "It's a shame you can only feel strong when you make fun of someone else," or "You cannot bother me because you are not important to me." Then walk away. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 41
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References

  1. ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_to_calm_your_mind_in_stressful_times
  2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/off-the-couch/201702/6-smarter-ways-to-deal-with-a-bully
  3. ↑ https://www.stompoutbullying.org/how-to-deal-with-bullies
  4. ↑ https://www.ems1.com/safety/articles/6-ways-to-defend-yourself-against-verbal-abuse-FfcPuuZg5x9w4ALT/
  5. ↑ https://www.stompoutbullying.org/how-to-deal-with-bullies
  6. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/bullies.html#kha_22
  7. ↑ https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/bullying-workplace
  8. ↑ https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/verbal-abuse/5-ways-of-dealing-with-verbally-abusive-relationships/
  9. ↑ https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/verbal-abuse/5-ways-of-dealing-with-verbally-abusive-relationships/
More References (3)
  1. ↑ https://www.viacharacter.org/topics/articles/stop-bullying-behavior-by-building-confidence
  2. ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bullying#how-stop
  3. ↑ https://www.ems1.com/safety/articles/6-ways-to-defend-yourself-against-verbal-abuse-FfcPuuZg5x9w4ALT/

About This Article

Klare Heston, LCSW Co-authored by: Klare Heston, LCSW Licensed Social Worker This article was co-authored by Klare Heston, LCSW. Klare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR). This article has been viewed 308,758 times. 121 votes - 87% Co-authors: 54 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 308,758 Categories: Dealing with Bullying | Verbal Self Defense | Workplace Conflict Resolution In other languages Spanish Italian Russian
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Reader Success Stories

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    Sep 13, 2016

    "Gave me lots to try and pointed out that "no response" is the best action. Blast! I told my partner she..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Klare Heston, LCSW Co-authored by: Klare Heston, LCSW Licensed Social Worker Co-authors: 54 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 308,758 87% of readers found this article helpful. 121 votes - 87% Click a star to add your vote John Pardoe

John Pardoe

Sep 13, 2016

"Gave me lots to try and pointed out that "no response" is the best action. Blast! I told my partner she..." more C. G.

C. G.

Mar 8, 2016

"Great solid tips for deflecting bullies away. Also, they don't like being ignored.Do your best to be somewhere..." more Anonymous

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"It helped me to stand up to the bullies in my school. It still happens occasionally, but I now know how to stand up..." more Caleb Madden-Harris

Caleb Madden-Harris

Oct 3, 2017

"At high school I'm getting pushed and called names and I'm sick of it so this was great, thank you!" Drew Albert

Drew Albert

Oct 18, 2017

"I talked to the meanest kid and he acted like a kindergartner in front everyone." Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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