1
as in to retreat
to hasten away from something dangerous or frightening
the ground soldiers bugged out just before the start of the aerial bombing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to depart
to leave a place often for another
the strange visitor bugged out without so much as saying a word
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug out
Verb
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Instead of an opportunity to gawk and marvel, The Silent Twins presents these two sisters — who retreated inside themselves and spoke only to each other for years — with a sense of complete individuality and autonomy.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025 -
The Yankees’ second baseman then threw his helmet before retreating to the clubhouse.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pereira knows that Wolves will lose players in the summer, with Cunha and Ait-Nouri two saleable assets likely to depart, while other more peripheral players will inevitably move on.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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As Americans hunt for dyed eggs, spike their blood sugar levels with Peeps, attend services, enjoy matzoh dishes and memorialize the dearly departed, others may be consuming cannabis products with a sense of ceremony.—
Jeanie Pyun,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Fellow dictatorships including Russia, China, North Korea, Cuba, and Iran lined up behind Maduro while Gonzalez fled the country during the reign of state terror against dissidents that followed the election.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Apr. 2025
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April 19: McVeigh parks the truck outside the federal building and flees on foot to his getaway car.—
Todd Pendleton,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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More drastically, the United States could exit the World Bank entirely, as called for by Project 2025.—
Ngaire Woods,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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As the two fought, another suspect exited a car and joined in the confrontation, deputies said.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Listen to this article 2 min The final day of the 2025 NFL Draft is upon us, and these next four rounds will fly by with prospects hoping a dream calls their name to join them.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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Trump also directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff in Francis’ honor.—
Darlene Superville,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump’s looming tariffs announced at the start of this month, as well as the high tariff rates imposed on China in recent weeks, have caused many to question whether the administration is moving too quickly.—
Callie Patteson,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2025
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According to Victoria Dittmar of Insight Crime, a think tank that studies organized crime in the Americas, production continues by other Sinaloa cartel factions, and has since moved into neighboring states like Sonora and Baja California, where cooks operate under the oversight of the cartel.—
Jason Motlagh,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Consumers and businesses increasingly expect financial services to be built in, not bolted on.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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On Monday, both incoming freshmen recruits bolted as well: Carlsbad High School’s Jake Hall and Uriah Tenette from Prescott, Ariz.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Otherwise, a ton of talented players got to achieve their dreams this weekend.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Apr. 2025
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After the performances are over and this year's inductees are revealed, viewers will get the chance to vote for their favorite contestants before eliminations.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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