bug out

verb

Definition of bug outnext
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
  1. retreat
  2. depart
  3. flee
  4. exit
  5. fly
  6. move
  7. bolt
  8. get
Verb
  • Netanyahu says Israel will not retreat from any of its positions in Gaza until Hamas has been completely disarmed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • When the Hills couple faced financial issues after the show ended, the two retreated to Pratt’s parents’ beach home in Carpinteria, California, to get back to regular life.
    — Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • That was because the player being replaced — match-winner Will Lankshear — took more than 10 seconds to depart while applauding the supporters.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • President Min Aung Hlaing departed from the capital Naypyitaw on Monday morning accompanied by members of his cabinet.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of depart
Verb
  • After Bridegan was shot in the street, prosecutors have said, one person fled on foot and another fled in a vehicle, WJXT reported.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Luwi, who moved into Gajdusek’s house after Koiye fled it, spent years keeping his distance from his uncle, so as not to attract suspicion, too.
    — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of flee
Verb
  • Both Kpler and Windward showed around five ships – total – exited the Strait of Hormuz on the day Wright said 20 million barrels flowed out of the Arab gulf region.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • At least one ship entered using the Iranian route, and a small tanker laden with Iranian fuel oil exited, data showed.
    — August 17, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of exit
Verb
  • So a new grant, under the early-stage NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, aims to create small, flying vehicles that could explore those caves.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • When not searching for glass floats, enjoy other pastimes like tide pooling, beachcombing, and kite flying (home to two kite festivals, Lincoln City calls itself the Kite Capital of the World).
    — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of fly
Verb
  • Frequent population movements linked to mining and people fleeing armed conflict add another complication, as people can move before surveillance teams are able to follow up with them.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers also want to move beyond bulk pyrite crystals and produce thin films, which are more directly relevant to electronic and energy devices.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • Gravis Robotics sells the Gravis Rack, a control kit that bolts onto equipment already sitting on a jobsite.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • As such, most of its parts are off-the-shelf, panels and interior components are bolted on, and there's no proprietary software locking owner-operators out of diagnosing and fixing their vehicles themselves.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of bolt
Verb
  • Side effects were similar to other vaccines that people typically get for other diseases, Healy noted.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The Lions lead back is sure to get as many or more touches this year with David Montgomery gone, and Detroit’s offense will score points.
    — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of get
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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bug off
bug out
bugs
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Cite this Entry

“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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