bogeyman

noun

bo·​gey·​man ˈbu̇-gē-ˌman  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

America’s all-purpose bogeyman might be the bomb-throwing rebel, but in truth, disillusionment inspires more violence than ideology. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025

Where many in Hollywood view AI as something of a bogeyman, fearing widespread job loss, others see opportunity. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025

On the one hand, China is the all-purpose bogeyman that should remove the shackles of regulation. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bogeyman

• businessman
• canavan
• caravan
• constantan
• dragoman
• fisherman
• handyman
• harmattan
• journeyman
• marianne
• middleman
• minivan

Kids Definition

bogeyman

noun

bo·​gey·​man ˈbu̇g-ē-ˌman  ˈbō-gē- 

ˈbü-gē-

1

: an imaginary monster used in threatening children

2

: a terrifying or dreaded person or thing