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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of bug out
Her baby's father answered the door with his eyes bugging out, and Frierson barged in to find two other guys, needles, spoons and powder on the table.
—
Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
The clear lids have a tight seal that locks the temperature in and keeps the fire ants and love bugs out.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bug out
Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
The clear lids have a tight seal that locks the temperature in and keeps the fire ants and love bugs out.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bug out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug out
Verb
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Unwind by one of two pools, retreat to a private cabana, or stroll along the expansive stretch of pristine beachfront.—
Angela Caraway-Carlton,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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Together, these moves position China as a responsible power at the very moment others are retreating.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For example, a three-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Glory, departing on June 5, 2026, during summer vacation, currently starts at $554 per person based on double occupancy, according to Carnival's website.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Flight 5047 had just arrived from Charlotte, North Carolina, when the wing of flight 5155, preparing to depart for Roanoke, Virginia, hit the nose of their aircraft.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At least eight Salvadoran officials who had been investigating MS-13 and corruption, including some who had worked with Vulcan agents, fled the country after threats, harassment, and searches of their homes and offices.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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After the shootings, McFarlin fled to Mono County, where sheriff’s deputies arrested him.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Policy Forum’s analysis found that educators in Wisconsin’s small districts were more likely to exit their jobs, as well as those working in urban districts and districts with mostly low-income students or students of color.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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All across the locker room, guys were eager to flush Seattle’s 38-35 loss to the Bucs and exit the venue.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ross passed the day's examination with flying colors, barely flinching at the rubber chicken.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
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Swift recorded the album during her behemoth Eras Tour, flying in and out of Sweden between stops to lay down tracks.—
Liz Schubauer,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a positive sign, Nunoo was moving his hands and fingers, according to Sutton.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
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That includes other immigrants who continue to buy homes to move into or to invest in, even some without legal immigration status.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cool-season planting keeps parsley from bolting, or going to seed quickly.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
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Only this time, the quarterback exploded through the line, followed a crushing lead block by Skattebo and bolting into the end zone.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The goal is to get a congress of 15, with at least eight members coming from Cincinnati's homeless shelters and seven representing people who live outdoors or in temporary housing.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
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Jonathan Taylor got the three touchdowns but was hardly explosive on a down-to-down basis.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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