Definitions

1. noun

a mythical figure, often depicted as a monster, that children are told exists to frighten them into behaving

“The parents used the bogeyman to scare their children into eating their vegetables.”

2. noun

an imaginary or exaggerated threat

“The politician’s promise to lower taxes was just a bogeyman to distract from the real issue of unemployment.”

3. verb

to use or create a bogeyman, especially to frighten or intimidate someone

“The teacher bogeyed the student into behaving in class.”