noun
a mythical creature used by adults to frighten children into good behavior
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The concept of the bogeyman has been used in literature for centuries to represent a malevolent mythical creature used to frighten children.
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Don't worry about the bogeyman under your bed, it's just a silly story.
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I heard Tommy's dad is the real bogeyman of the neighborhood, always scaring kids with his pranks.
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The fear of failure can be like a bogeyman, lurking in the shadows and holding you back from taking risks.