bogeyman

noun

variants also bogyman
Definition of bogeymannext
as in specter

Related Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bogeyman The ads, some of which were run by Georgians for Integrity, a group that has dropped millions attacking Jones since 2025, used data centers as a bogeyman for Jones' alleged corruption. — Maham Javaid, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026 License-plate reading cameras could join data centers as a tech bogeyman in the US midterm elections. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Damac, sitting 15th in the SPL and requiring a point against Al Nassr to guarantee survival, were the team hoping to be the latest bogeyman in Ronaldo’s quest to be a champion in his fifth country, his eighth league triumph in 24 years. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 21 May 2026 To me, the FBI was just a dark, abstract presence—a childhood bogeyman—pursuing us all the time like a shadow out of a nightmare. — Literary Hub, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bogeyman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bogeyman
  1. specter
  2. demon
  3. incubus
  4. ghoul
  5. phantom
  6. banshee
  7. terror
  8. imp
Noun
  • With antitrust law raising the spectre of regulation, Vail eventually accepted the need to change his tack.
    — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • This fascinating riff on a cyber-noir ghost story is set in 3025, where the dead can be resurrected as holographic specters.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of specter
Noun
  • In southern India, Diwali celebrates Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Naraka, who is said to have imprisoned women and tormented his subjects.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In southern India, Diwali celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Naraka, who is said to have imprisoned women and tormented his subjects.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of demon
Noun
  • The Devil’s Museum, a satellite of the main collection, has amassed more than 3,000 depictions of demons, evil spirits and incubus from around the world.
    — Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Your fame sits beside you like an incubus, and people are embarrassed and want to leave the room.
    — Candace Bushnell, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2025
Definition of incubus
Noun
  • Throughout outer space lie stars and galaxies that resemble creepy creatures, spooky skulls and galactic ghouls.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Humanoid moths and demon babies, hitchhiking ghouls, the occasional sea monster and even a suspicious phantom kangaroo or two.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of ghoul
Noun
  • As the frightening phantom of Frank the Bunny warns, this parallel reality has a ticking clock that’ll result in its imminent collapse in just 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Fadal brought up her own phantom smells during a recent podcast conversation with Andrea Donsky, a nutritionist who’s written about and conducted research on this symptom.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of phantom
Noun
  • Three species of bats inhabit the site, and supernatural events—including the appearance of the gamekeeper’s ghost and the wail of a banshee—have been reported.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026
  • Weaving, even more than before, makes Grace an ingénue gone banshee.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of banshee
Noun
  • Freedom, and the chance to briefly escape the grind of a stay-at-home mom with three little terrors.
    — Kevin Fanady, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026
  • In 2001, he was fired from MTV UK after turning up to work dressed as Osama bin Laden two days after the September 11 terror attacks.
    — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of terror
Noun
  • People have since replaced the imp with fictional people like Sam and Dean Winchester and Wednesday Addams, public figures like Gypsy-Rose Blanchard and even mascots like Ronald McDonald.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Mykal-Michelle Harris from Raven’s Home guest stars as Ruby, a mischievous moon imp who tricks Vee.
    — Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of imp

Browse Nearby Words

bogey
bogeyman
bogeymen
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bogeyman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bogeyman. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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