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 At a time when billionaires are bogeymen, Steyer has struggled to gain momentum. — The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Apr. 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 And the foreign bogeyman was no longer the driver. — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026 Some 15 to 20 years ago, MSG was nothing less than a nutritional bogeyman. — Caroline Tien, SELF, 23 Feb. 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
  • At a press conference Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney raised the specter of US job losses due to Trump’s auto tariffs.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But the specter of a public vote on the project continues to linger as a group of petitioners who oppose using public tax dollars on the stadium demands that voters get a say.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of specter
Noun
  • As Capers endured a whirlwind of intense scrutiny during that time, he was forced to confront painful memories and long-dormant demons.
    — Ethan Rocke, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The iconic flashing logo behind and above the band was larger, Simmons’ side of the stage was modeled after his demon persona and Frehley’s was themed around his associations with outer space.
    — Wes Orshoski, SPIN, 20 Aug. 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
  • Gemma even winds up having to give a teeth cleaning to one of the silent, creepy ghouls pursuing her.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Practicality Viewers know Walton Goggins’ Cooper Howard as a ghoul because of radiation from a bomb dropped in 2077.
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of ghoul
Noun
  • Both phantoms were packed with thousands of dosimeters, tracking radiation dose over specific phases of the flight rather than just a cumulative total.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The two phantoms were designed to be adult females, since previous research found that breasts and ovaries are especially susceptible to radiation damage.
    — Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 12 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
  • Unfettered occupation and ethnic cleansing will provoke resistance and terror attacks.
    — Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2026
  • If the 25-year war on terror really is over, its repercussions are not.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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