as in to depart
to leave a place often for another
I wish you would just bug off and leave me alone
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of bug off
Blast bugs off your house with the garden hose.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
Keep bugs off the guest list at your next outdoor gathering.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 June 2025
To keep harlequin bugs off of vegetables, the simplest approach is to cover the plants immediately after planting.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2025
Additionally, it can be used to keep harmful bugs off your garden plants, if needed.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2023
The San Antonio Zoo is offering a special Valentine’s Day greeting for exes who just won’t bug off.
—Yenny Sanchez, CNN, 29 Jan. 2023
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
Keep bugs off the guest list at your next outdoor gathering.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 June 2025
To keep harlequin bugs off of vegetables, the simplest approach is to cover the plants immediately after planting.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2025
Additionally, it can be used to keep harmful bugs off your garden plants, if needed.
—Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2023
The San Antonio Zoo is offering a special Valentine’s Day greeting for exes who just won’t bug off.
—Yenny Sanchez, CNN, 29 Jan. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug off
Verb
-
Fresh bouquets left on top of old ones While the television cameras and the law enforcement officers have departed from the scene of the crime, reminders of Guthrie remain.—
Celina Tebor,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
-
By the time Galliano departed in 2024, Margiela sales had risen 24 percent over his ten-year tenure.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Shannon, executive director of programs and initiatives with Life After Hate, a national nonprofit focused on helping people exit violent- and hate-fueled ideologies, said research shows people often join violent extremist groups for the same reasons others join gangs.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
According to police, Bigelow allegedly appeared incoherent and refused officers’ commands to exit the vehicle.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the calendar moves toward spring, the old feeling of hope and exuberance spreads across the country, and it's mostly felt by college basketball fans.—
Josh Taylor,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Coleman can play all the positions, so expect Steve Sarkisian to move him around to create advantageous matchups.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Having faced Big Ten physicality all season, first-year Iowa coach Ben McCollum’s team went toe to toe with Florida’s punishing front court.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Part of the money will also go toward expansion of Philander Smith's health education facilities, including space for soon-to-be radiologists and phlebotomists.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Store it all in the ski locker room, and getting slopeside is a breeze.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Heritage took the 2-1 lead in the second half when Atkins got the score off an Emersen Andries assist and the Panthers’ defense held on late to advance.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The gun went off, but no one was shot or stabbed.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The gun somehow went off, Sullivan said, but no one was shot and no one was stabbed.—
Riley Rourke,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some talk of getting off the train and kissing the earth.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Also recommended is rideshare or public transportation, including the CTA Green Line (getting off at the Cermak-McCormick Place station).—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nova would have her work cut out for her.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
-
With his new chair barely even warm, Tretter, who according to Spotrac earned $46 million in his NFL career, has his work cut out for him.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bug off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20off. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
