1. plural of bogeyman; imaginary evil beings used to frighten children
2. people or things that are unreasonably feared or disliked
Usage: figurative

Examples

• Parents shouldn’t use bogeymen to scare their children into behaving.
• The old house was said to be full of bogeymen and ghosts.
• Politicians often create bogeymen to distract from real issues.
• She realized her childhood fears of bogeymen were just imagination.
• The media sometimes turns certain groups into bogeymen.
• Don’t let imaginary bogeymen keep you awake at night.