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Definitions

boogeyman

[boog-ee-man, boo-gee-] / ˈbʊg iˌmæn, ˈbu gi- /
NOUN
bogey
Synonyms
STRONG
apparition bogeyman boggle bugaboo bugbear goblin hobgoblin monster phantasm phantasma phantom specter spirit spook visitant wraith
WEAK
bogle bogyman boogieman eidolon evil spirit
Antonyms
STRONG
being reality
NOUN
bogeyman
Synonyms
STRONG
apparition bogey bugaboo bugbear goblin hobgoblin monster phantasm phantasma phantom specter spirit spook visitant wraith
WEAK
boggle bogle bogyman boogieman eidolon evil spirit
Antonyms
STRONG
being reality
NOUN
bogle
Synonyms
WEAK
apparition bogey bogeyman boggle bogyman boogieman bugaboo bugbear eidolon evil spirit goblin hobgoblin monster phantasm phantasma phantom specter spirit spook visitant wraith
NOUN
bugbear
Synonyms
STRONG
apprehension bogey bogy bugaboo dread fear goblin gremlin hobgoblin loup-garou ogre problem scare specter terror threat wraith
Antonyms
STRONG
bravery calmness courage ease

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Artificial intelligence could be the boogeyman that gnaws at market share.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

And it would give the Bills another chance to really get over their boogeyman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025

Was Deen really an early victim of the fictitious celebrity boogeyman now known as “cancel culture,” or was she appropriately harangued?

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2025

With Moses as boogeyman, we are spared the more challenging question: Why did his worst decisions seem like such great ideas to so many people in the first place?

From Slate • Sep. 16, 2024

I am the boogeyman parents use to get their children to behave.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.