boogiemen
Children's nightmare creatures
Boogiemen is the plural of boogieman, a frightening imaginary creature invoked to scare children into behaving: If you don't go to sleep, the boogieman will get you.
More broadly, boogiemen are any vague or exaggerated threats used to instill fear: Politicians love to conjure boogiemen to rally their base.
Also spelled bogeyman, bogeymen.
Terrifying sleep experiences
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- frightSudden intense fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
anxiety · horror · unease · apprehension · phobia · screams · darkness · shadows
Advance notices of danger
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- parentingNurturing and guiding children
behavior · consequences · deterrent · admonition · lessons · teaching · punishment · misbehavior
Frightening imaginary creatures
- ghoulsEvil spirits, often corpse-eaters
- demonsMalevolent supernatural beings
- creaturesAnimate beings, especially animals
- spectersVisible ghostly presences
phantoms · goblins · ogres · trolls · beasts · spirits · apparitions · wraiths
Folklore figure punishing misbehavior
Assign responsibility for wrongdoing
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- demonizationCasting as evil
- propagandaBiased information for influence
hysteria · witch-hunt · paranoia · xenophobia · othering · persecution · suspicion · accusation
nightmares
Terrifying sleep experiences
panic · anxiety · horror · unease · apprehension · phobia · screams · darkness · shadows · sleeplessness
warnings
Advance notices of danger
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
parenting · behavior · consequences · deterrent · admonition · lessons · teaching · punishment · misbehavior · bedtime
monsters
Frightening imaginary creatures
- ghoulsEvil spirits, often corpse-eaters
- demonsMalevolent supernatural beings
- creaturesAnimate beings, especially animals
specters · phantoms · goblins · ogres · trolls · beasts · spirits · apparitions · wraiths · shades
Krampus
Folklore figure punishing misbehavior
blame
Assign responsibility for wrongdoing
- fearmongeringDeliberately spreading exaggerated threats
- vilificationAbusive condemnation of someone
- demonizationCasting as evil
propaganda · hysteria · witch-hunt · paranoia · xenophobia · othering · persecution · suspicion · accusation · enemy
boogiemenguardian angels
Protective spirits assigned to individuals
protectors · saviors · heroes · guardians · defenders
boogiemensecurity blankets
Objects providing emotional comfort
safe havens · safe spaces · sanctuaries · teddy bears · mother figures