Thesaurus: bugbear

Related headwords

Definitions

1. n. Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, used to frighten children, etc.
2. n. Same as Bugaboo.
3. a. Causing needless fright.
4. v. t. To alarm with idle phantoms.
5. n. an imaginary monster used to frighten children
6. n. an object of dread or apprehension
7. Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, used to frighten children, etc. "Bugaboos to fright ye." Lloyd. But, to the world no bugbear is so great As want of figure and a small estate. Pope. The bugaboo of the liberals is the church pray. S. B. Griffin. The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. J. Burroughs. Syn. -- Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow. Same as Bugaboo. -- a. Causing needless fright. Locke. To alarm with idle phantoms.
8. Same as Bugaboo.-- a.
9. n:100 n. an object of dread or apprehension