boogeymen
Children's imagined terrors
Boogeymen is the plural of boogeyman—a frightening creature used to scare children into behaving.
The boogeyman has no fixed form; he's whatever lurks in the dark or under the bed.
Figuratively, boogeymen are exaggerated threats or convenient villains: Politicians love their boogeymen.
Also spelled bogeyman.
Undead flesh-eating demon
- demonMalevolent supernatural being
- fiendCruel person or enthusiast
- creatureLiving, sentient entity
- phantomInsubstantial apparition
specter · goblin · ogre · troll · grotesque · frightening · macabre · shadowy
Indication of potential harm
- menaceSource of potential harm
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
scaremongering · propaganda · demonization · terrorize · panic · vilification · hysteria · witch-hunt
Traditional stories or icons
- mythsTraditional untrue narratives
- talesSpoken or written narratives
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
traditions · cultural · ancestral · folktales · oral-history · customs · parables · narratives
ghoul
Undead flesh-eating demon
phantom · specter · goblin · ogre · troll · grotesque · frightening · macabre · shadowy · lurking
threat
Indication of potential harm
- menaceSource of potential harm
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
scapegoat · scaremongering · propaganda · demonization · terrorize · panic · vilification · hysteria · witch-hunt · paranoia
legends
Traditional stories or icons
- mythsTraditional untrue narratives
- talesSpoken or written narratives
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
storytelling · traditions · cultural · ancestral · folktales · oral-history · customs · parables · narratives · allegories
nightlight
Dim plug-in lamp
- closetBuilt-in storage chamber
- bedtimeDesignated hour for retiring
- shadowsDark areas from blocked light
darkness · scared · imagination · creak · peek · lurk · frighten · spook · warning · whispers
omen
Prophetic indicator
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- witchcraftPractice of supernatural magic
- hexMalevolent incantation
spell · ritual · warding · evil-eye · curse · charm · talisman · protection · salt · threshold
boogeymenguardian angels
Protective spirits assigned to individuals
protectors · saviors · heroes · fairy godmothers · white knights
boogeymensecurity blankets
Objects providing emotional comfort
safe harbors · imaginary friends · teddy bears · night lights · sandman