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
  • Governments are retreating from public health commitments, leading to unequal distribution of care.
    — Jallicia Jolly, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • For generations, the royals have retreated to Scotland, where summer stays at Balmoral Castle offer a chance to enjoy the outdoors and spend time together away from their public responsibilities.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • But Roosevelt continued to press for progressive tax reform even after Long departed from the political (and earthly) stage.
    — Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • That figure undercuts the simplest version of the story, in which departing billionaires are draining capital from the state alongside their personal wealth.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 July 2026
Definition of depart
Verb
  • One of those people fled and was still unaccounted for, officials said.
    — Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 27 July 2026
  • Durham has collected descriptions of the HEART calls, showing that nonpolice responders in Durham have helped with everything from finding housing for a woman fleeing domestic violence to setting up medical appointments for a homeless veteran.
    — Scott Maucione, NPR, 27 July 2026
Definition of flee
Verb
  • Following a consultation with Groeschner, Schmitt exited the game and slowly walked off the field.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • Iran remains incentivized to exercise maximum control over shipping traffic entering and exiting the oil-rich region.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Definition of exit
Verb
  • The bright light attracts massive swarms of flying insects, chased by birds, which unwittingly get instantly vaporized mid-air by the invisible, high-temperature beams.
    — Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • But this didn’t last long with the flying McLarens behind him.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of fly
Verb
  • Russia has used ports such as Astrakhan and Olya to move military cargo between Iran and Russia, according to analysts.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The annual judging is done by examining the photos of the works, given that the medium, blackboards, can’t be moved easily.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • The standard prescription for organizations such as these is to bolt security onto their existing network—buy a firewall, add a VPN, maybe bring in an MSSP if the budget allows.
    — Pramod Badjate, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The internet did not unlock productivity until businesses rewired processes around digital workflows rather than bolting websites onto analog operations.
    — Nigel Vaz, Time, 20 July 2026
Definition of bolt
Verb
  • When Marshall showed up, Reyes and Chamberlain both fired guns at Marshall as Marshall tried to get away, according to the affidavit.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
  • The idea is that the more of the filter feeders cling to the seawall, the cleaner the canal gets.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 July 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.

Browse Nearby Words

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 31 Jul. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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