boogeyman

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "boogeyman" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a mythical creature, usually a man, used to frighten children into good behavior. For example, "My mother used to tell me that if I didn't behave, the boogeyman would come and get me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was Israel's policy before Hamas and its rudimentary rockets were Israel's boogeyman of the moment, and before Israel turned Gaza into an open-air prison, punching bag, and weapons laboratory.

The New Yorker

One boogeyman erased forever from a child's life was tempting, and in the quiet their hearts reached for it.

The New Yorker

Instead, the ad seems intended to motivate the Democratic Party's base using a favorite boogeyman: Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

"Cropsey," named for the mythic boogeyman of Hudson Valley campfire stories, is the cinematic version of peeking under the bed and not breathing a sigh of relief.

The New York Times

I've never written about this before, though it's an experience that's informed every scary scene I've ever written — every scream, every door creaking on its hinge, every imagined boogeyman lurking in the darkness.

The New York Times

I've learned that tapping into the hard stuff — whether it's the fear of loss or a boogeyman lurking in childhood memories — is what ultimately gives a story the power to leap off the page and grab you by the collar.

The New York Times

Among the leading Democratic candidates, Mr. de Blasio has invoked the real estate boogeyman with the greatest enthusiasm, in debates, in news releases and at a rally, Hospitals Not Condos, he held two weeks ago, outside the former St . Vincents Hospital in Greenwich Village.

The New York Times

An evenhanded statement that will dissatisfy one side of the gun debate, but a statement that makes sense given a major premise of the book: Over the past two decades the Glock has been cast as a boogeyman, but as Barrett suggests, firearms "do not have inherent moral qualities".

The New York Times - Books

WHEN the antitax lobbyist Grover G. Norquist made a visit to Capitol Hill recently, leading Democrats welcomed the chance to build up their favorite boogeyman.

The New York Times

In an earlier day, more thoughtful Republicans — people who had actually read the Common Core standards and understood that the notion of a federal usurpation was a boogeyman — would have held the high ground against the noisy fringe.

The New York Times

Fehr, for all the characterizations of him since the 1994 baseball strike as some kind of boogeyman, is an interesting character.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "boogeyman" to describe something that is used to instill fear, either literally (as in a children's story) or figuratively (as in a political scapegoat).

Common error

Avoid using "boogeyman" in situations where a simple description of a real threat would suffice. The term carries connotations of irrational or exaggerated fear, so ensure it aligns with the context.

Linguistic Context

The word "boogeyman" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a mythical creature or, more often, a person or thing that is irrationally feared. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, from children's stories to political discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "boogeyman" is a noun that refers to something that is irrationally feared, often used figuratively in news, media and political discourse. According to Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct, and its usage is very common in the English language. The term can be used to describe a wide variety of fears, from childhood monsters to political scapegoats. It is important to consider the context in which "boogeyman" is used, as it carries connotations of irrationality or exaggeration. When using "boogeyman", ensure the context justifies the suggestion that the fear is unfounded or manipulated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bogeyman

Alternate spelling, same meaning.

bugbear

Denotes something that is a cause of obsessive fear, irritation, or loathing.

monster under the bed

Refers specifically to a common childhood fear of a monster lurking in one's bedroom.

imaginary monster

Highlights the unreal, made-up nature of the frightening figure.

source of dread

Focuses on the feeling of intense fear or anxiety that something provokes.

figure of terror

Emphasizes the horrifying or frightening aspect of a person or thing.

object of fear

Highlights the person or thing that causes fear for somebody

phantom menace

Evokes a vague but threatening presence or danger.

feared entity

Highlights that this is a thing that is feared by the person saying it

menace

Refers to a person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat or danger.

FAQs

How can I use "boogeyman" in a sentence?

You can use "boogeyman" to refer to a mythical creature used to frighten children, or figuratively to describe something that causes fear or is used as a scapegoat. For example, "The politician used the opposing party as a "boogeyman" to rally his base".

What can I say instead of "boogeyman"?

You can use alternatives like "bugbear", "phantom menace", or "figure of terror" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "bogeyman" and "boogeyman"?

"Bogeyman" and "boogeyman" are alternative spellings of the same word, both referring to a mythical creature used to frighten children. They are interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use the term "boogeyman" figuratively?

It's appropriate to use "boogeyman" figuratively when describing something that is irrationally feared or used to scare people into compliance. This could apply to political rhetoric, social anxieties, or personal fears.