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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The Wolves will retreat to their corner, bandage some wounds and aim to actually come out swinging Friday after cowering in the corner for the bulk of Game 2.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026 -
As Elliot retreats from the devastating reality of his illness, father and daughter are forced to confront the unspoken truths between them.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Raman was the only candidate to participate in the post-debate media scrum, speaking extensively with reporters after Bass and Pratt departed shortly after the event.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
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The ship departed from Argentina and investigations into the outbreak’s source are focusing there.—
Molly Quell,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Velasco said families have fled to nearby towns, where many now take refuge in a soccer field.—
Megan Janetsky,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
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The suspect also shot a woman, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, before fleeing the scene, according to police.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2026
Verb
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During a call with analysts later Thursday, Starz president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch announced Stars has exited its Pay-2 film deal agreement with Universal Pictures.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
7 May 2026
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Ayo Dosunmu made his return from calf soreness, only to exit the game in the first half with heel soreness and not return.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The passenger's 69-year-old wife leaves and flies to South Africa.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
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Passengers were already paying more to fly – even before the industry lost the budget airline famous for pushing fares lower.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Verb
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There is still work to do; however, current congressional leadership has moved us in the right direction.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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Before the vote, loud boos resounded as House Republicans arrived and moved through a crowd of protesters from the elevator to the House chamber.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The quick turnaround was a whirlwind for Griffin, who bolted from Westchester to the busy downtown Brooklyn streets.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
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The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey revealed that hiring bolted higher in March after falling to near-historic lows the month before.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
Verb
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These are not women who just help get their grandkids ready for school in the morning or watch them on a Saturday night; these are women who have chosen to become parents again, sparing their grandchildren from life in the foster system.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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About 250 people in Killingworth — the largest group to file a complaint with a fair rent commission in recent history — will get a one-year reprieve from increases after the town’s committee rejected their landowner’s rent adjustment plan.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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