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

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

The Democratic strategy in the Wisconsin race has been to vilify Musk, tying him to Schimel and turning him into a bogeyman who is trying to buy the election and destroy democracy. —Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2025

Missing work overwhelm is the high school version of the bogeyman. —Cyndy Etler, Hartford Courant, 12 May 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