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
Most indulged of all is Joe himself, the kind of bogeyman that our headlines keep in dispiriting circulation: a white, middle-aged male with troubles at home and convenient access to firearms.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 July 2025
Proctor was the case officer who has since been fired primarily for inappropriate behavior in this case and has served as a sort of bogeyman for the defense, beginning with their opening statement.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025
Jordan McAlister/Flickr Vision/Moment Editorial The myth of a bogeyman hiding under the bed came true for one Kansas family this week after a child's complaint led to a man's arrest.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
On the one hand, China is the all-purpose bogeyman that should remove the shackles of regulation.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bogeyman
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Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 July 2025
Proctor was the case officer who has since been fired primarily for inappropriate behavior in this case and has served as a sort of bogeyman for the defense, beginning with their opening statement.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025
Jordan McAlister/Flickr Vision/Moment Editorial The myth of a bogeyman hiding under the bed came true for one Kansas family this week after a child's complaint led to a man's arrest.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
On the one hand, China is the all-purpose bogeyman that should remove the shackles of regulation.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 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 22 Aug. 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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