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
-
And in this story, Superman retreats from the world after being rejected by the public for adhering to an older moral code.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 July 2025 -
But after several major box office debacles, including Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, Apple retreated.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Your domestic flight will depart at least three hours later than scheduled, or your international flight will depart at least six hours late.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
14 July 2025
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According to flight tracker Flightradar24, the plane departed at 2:36 p.m. and returned to the ground at 3:22 p.m.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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In July 1987, flooding on the Guadalupe River in Kerr County forced hundreds of people to flee the area.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
12 July 2025
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Some thought the noises were gunfire, which prompted large groups to flee the park.—
Cameron Knight,
The Enquirer,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Here, exiting through the gift shop—fittingly named Lucky Rabbit—is a way to keep the story going at home.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
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The pilot and three passengers were able to safely exit the plane.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Where will flags be at half-staff in Wisconsin? Per Evers' executive order, American flag and the Wisconsin state flag fly half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations belonging to the state of Wisconsin.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
19 July 2025
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The group was exchanged for more than 250 Venezuelans deported from the U.S. and flown in March to El Salvador's high-security prison.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Verb
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If practice is canceled or moved indoors due to the weather, paid ticket days will be provided with a makeup date, not a refund.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
20 July 2025
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The sky was a deep red, moving into deep blue, then, above that, black.—
Mona Awad,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
Verb
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On breaks, journalists would sometimes bolt out of the courthouse, furiously typing or relaying notes to editors over the phone in an attempt to be the first to file breaking news.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
9 July 2025
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The Doberman had apparently bolted during the night and sought refuge in the stranger's yard.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Verb
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The Raptors got within one on a 3-pointer by Jamal Shead with 3:56 to go.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
20 July 2025
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Brian Harman got the best of the weather — surprising sunshine — and took dead aim in his hunt for another claret jug.—
Doug Ferguson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 July 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 24 Jul. 2025.
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