bogeyman

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

bogeyman
    n 1: an imaginary monster used to frighten children [syn:
         {bogeyman}, {bugbear}, {bugaboo}, {boogeyman}, {booger}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Bogeyman \Bo"gey*man\, n.; pl. {Bogeymen}.
   A goblin; a bugbear; a {bogey[1]}. This is the form used by
   parents to frighten children; as, if you don't eat your
   vegetables, the bogeyman will get you.

   Syn: bogey.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Boogeyman \Boog"ey*man\, Bogeyman \Bo"gey*man\, n.
   Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that
   causes needless fright; something used to excite needless
   fear; also, something really dangerous, or an imaginary
   monster, used to frighten children, etc. "Go to sleep or the
   Boogeyman will get you."

   Syn: Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow; booger;
        bugaboo; bugbear.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

36 Moby Thesaurus words for "bogeyman":
      Dracula, Frankenstein, Mumbo Jumbo, Wolf-man, bogey, boggart,
      bogle, booger, boogerman, boogeyman, bug, bugaboo, bugbear, bugger,
      fee-faw-fum, frightener, ghost, ghoul, hobgoblin, holy terror,
      horror, incubus, monster, nightmare, ogre, ogress, phantom,
      revenant, scarebabe, scarecrow, scarer, specter, succubus, terror,
      vampire, werewolf

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