variants
also bogyman
as in specter
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Recent Examples of bogeyman
The Antifa that Trump is always invoking as an all-purpose bogeyman—some lethal, disciplined underground network that resembles the Irish Republican Army—does not exist.
—
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2025
To the Truman administration, which green-lit the plot, Árbenz's regard for the rural poor also smacked of communism, the era's bogeyman.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025
While many regard it as a digital bogeyman that will usher in he end of times, when the subject was broached during the stunt panel, the reaction was surprisingly sanguine.
—Todd Longwell, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025
Adrian Morejon struck out one in 2 1/3 scoreless innings and gave way to the San Diego bogeyman Mason Miller, who cranked it up to 104 mph in a strikeout of Carson Kelly and struck out five in 1 2/3 innings.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bogeyman
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2025
To the Truman administration, which green-lit the plot, Árbenz's regard for the rural poor also smacked of communism, the era's bogeyman.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025
While many regard it as a digital bogeyman that will usher in he end of times, when the subject was broached during the stunt panel, the reaction was surprisingly sanguine.
—Todd Longwell, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025
Adrian Morejon struck out one in 2 1/3 scoreless innings and gave way to the San Diego bogeyman Mason Miller, who cranked it up to 104 mph in a strikeout of Carson Kelly and struck out five in 1 2/3 innings.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bogeyman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bogeyman
Noun
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When Claire and Frank retreat to Inverness on holiday following the end of WWII, Frank spies the spectre of a Highlander staring up into Claire's window that abruptly vanishes.—
Amy Wilkinson,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Feb. 2026
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Jolie stars as Maxine, an American filmmaker who arrives to document a French fashion house during Paris Fashion Week under the specter of a potentially life-threatening diagnosis.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the movie, HUNTR/X, the worldwide K-pop girl group made up of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, spends their off-hours battling demons.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Feb. 2026
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The movie, about a pop girl group, HUNTR/X, that fights demons and protect South Korea from them, was a smash hit.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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Your fame sits beside you like an incubus, and people are embarrassed and want to leave the room.—
Candace Bushnell,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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He's assisted by his pal Thaddeus (Johnny Pemberton), who can only help so much due to his status as a ghoul causing his limbs to fall off.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Feb. 2026
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With Adam Roberts announcing the tempos on the baby grand piano, the ghouls in Tevye’s nightmare emerge from around the fourposter.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Stygiomedusa gigantea, commonly known as the giant phantom jelly, was filmed at 250 meters below the surface.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Old Town The belltower looms like a phantom.—
Chen Yuhong,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The bond between a rider and their banshee doesn't break, and chances are your bond with this two-figure set won't either.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
19 Dec. 2025
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Then, like an alarm clock, howler monkeys unleashed their banshee shriek, staking their territory as the sun rose.—
Ryan Knighton,
AFAR Media,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The critical bulletin issued to pilots and airlines not to fly below 18,000 feet was initially set for 10 days, a duration for a full grounding not used since the 9/11 terror attacks.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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The film delves into the fragility of the human mind, the dangers of AI warfare, and the indomitable spirit required to confront terror in an increasingly digital world.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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It’s believed that the 13th-century castle is haunted by a magical imp who frequently visits the Markomanka and Hlíza, or black, towers.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bogeyman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bogeyman. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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