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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Previous to Trump’s statement, four former directors of Intel published a commentary exclusive to Fortune, saying the company was likely to retreat as America’s chips champion.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Aug. 2025 -
As the climate warms and destabilizes systems in parts of Alaska, experts said the threat from this type of flooding is not becoming more common, in part because glaciers are retreating.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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His enhanced role will see the character departing from previous depictions.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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The new company announced is post-merger executive roster Monday amid a flurry of reports of departing Paramount Global execs from co-CEOs Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins to streaming chief Tom Ryan.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Democrats in the state’s House have since fled the Lone Star state to avoid a quorum needed to pass the redistricting bill.—
ForbesTV,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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These Texas Democrats that fled the state are not serving Texans.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Southbound drivers can exit to westbound 141st Street but can’t go east.—
John Tuohy,
IndyStar,
7 Aug. 2025
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But the bullet exited Welch's head, and that same bullet hit Palmer, a bystander who was attempting to act as a peacemaker, Worthy said.—
Andrea May Sahouri,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The next phase in the investigation will include interviewing employees and flying in experts, officials said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
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Firefighting helicopters on various occasions scooped up water from the lake when fighting wildfires instead of flying farther away.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Mederos had been more over the top, but the Angels moved his arm down about 10 degrees.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
14 Aug. 2025
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If anyone shows signs of heat illness, promptly move them to a cool, shaded area.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The companies that lead in the decades ahead won't simply bolt AI onto existing workflows.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Neighbors and businesses bolted their doors and watched anxiously from behind curtains as police swarmed the streets.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Senators’ previous owner, the late Eugene Melnyk, put the wheels in motion for a potential project at LeBreton Flats back in 2016, but was never able to get the project off the ground.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Students apply separately to get into magnet programs.—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2025.
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