bogeyman

noun

variants also bogyman
Definition of bogeymannext
as in specter

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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 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 Some 15 to 20 years ago, MSG was nothing less than a nutritional bogeyman. — Caroline Tien, SELF, 23 Feb. 2026 No matter how much so many us love and believe in edgy comedy, a line exists between cutting satire and normalizing violence, and stay wary of anyone who tries to use the bogeyman of repression to erase it. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 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 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
  • But adding capacity also raises the specter of a potential supply glut down the road if demand cools off.
    — Bailey Lipschultz, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • Shaky peace talks to formally end the Iran war means the specter of inflation also still remains, according to analysts.
    — DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
Definition of specter
Noun
  • Wynonna, with help from her younger sister, the town’s sheriff and an infamous Wild West gunslinger, must save her hometown from demons and other supernatural creatures.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
  • In the film, Tanjiro, Nezuko and the Hashira are drawn into the Infinity Castle, where the Demon Slayer Corps must confront the terrifying Upper Rank demons.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 5 July 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
  • Night of the Living Dead centers all the action at a farmhouse, where seven people attempt to ward off the ghouls — without any prior knowledge of how to do so.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026
  • As boss-man turns into a cantering, slavering, apparently all-over treble-jointed ghoul, Young-cheol announces that his own living blood contains the only antidote.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 29 May 2026
Definition of ghoul
Noun
  • That’s the £312 million phantom.
    — Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
  • Such a designation, evidently, would save agents from wasting time chasing phantoms.
    — Adam Ciralsky, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 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
  • In its absence, this category is open for business, with Rhys, so good at shifting between his show’s droll humor and genuine terror, an obvious choice.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • On top of that, there was a terror attack plot at one of her concerts in Vienna in 2024, which was thwarted.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 July 2026
Definition of terror
Noun
  • At her very best, Emily behaves like a petulant pre-adolescent spoiled imp.
    — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Mykal-Michelle Harris from Raven’s Home guest-stars as Ruby, a mischievous moon imp who tricks Vee.
    — Allison McClain Merrill, Parents, 27 Oct. 2025
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 9 Jul. 2026.

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