bogeyman
noun
bo·gey·man
ˈbu̇-gē-ˌman 
ˈbō-
ˈbō-
ˈbü-,
ˈbu̇-gər-
variants
or less commonly bogyman
1
: a monstrous imaginary figure used in threatening children
2
: a terrifying or dreaded person or thing : bugbear
Examples of bogeyman in a Sentence
My aunt used to say to my sister and me, “The bogeyman will get you if you're bad.”
a politician who is the familiar bogeyman of conservatives
Recent Examples on the Web
In lesser hands, the family’s unfortunately topical adversaries could be but straw bogeymen or non pareil Darth Vaders.
—
Emily Temple
may 27, Literary Hub, 27 May 2025
Now, though, their favorite bogeyman, Gary Gensler, the Securities and Exchange Commission chief under President Joe Biden, is gone.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
The film is in a defensive posture, feeling itself ensnared in the media’s bogeyman narrative and responding strenuously to every swipe.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Much like how Trump has made China a key bogeyman in his trade war, protectionists like Carey linked tariffs to a patriotic, nationalistic disdain for Britain.
— Made By History, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bogeyman
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Emily Temple
may 27, Literary Hub, 27 May 2025
Now, though, their favorite bogeyman, Gary Gensler, the Securities and Exchange Commission chief under President Joe Biden, is gone.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
The film is in a defensive posture, feeling itself ensnared in the media’s bogeyman narrative and responding strenuously to every swipe.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Much like how Trump has made China a key bogeyman in his trade war, protectionists like Carey linked tariffs to a patriotic, nationalistic disdain for Britain.
— Made By History, Time, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bogeyman
Cite this Entry
“Bogeyman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bogeyman. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bogeyman
noun
bo·gey·man
ˈbu̇g-ē-ˌman
ˈbō-gē-
ˈbō-gē-
ˈbü-gē-
1
: an imaginary monster used in threatening children
2
: a terrifying or dreaded person or thing
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