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
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 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
-
Lady Annabel wore her privilege lightly, and in later years retreated to her home in Richmond, just outside London, enjoying her children, grandchildren and dogs away from the spotlight.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Following the release of his 1996 solo project Euphoria, Vincent retreated from public life.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Eberechi Eze, so crucial at the end of last season with seven goals in six games, including the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, departed for Arsenal in the summer, but that does not appear to have disrupted them.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Morrell, a former BP exec who was appointed by former Disney CEO Bob Chapek, departed after a series of snags that ultimately doomed Chapek’s tenure as CEO.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
An informal education professional, Eitan spent part of his captivity with Yair, and the brothers reportedly fled through tunnels during Israeli airstrikes.—
Itay Stern,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Madagascar’s president has fled the African nation, the head of the opposition and other officials said on Monday, the second time that young protesters have toppled a government in weeks of worldwide Gen Z unrest.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Mean Girls star exited the series in 2006, leaving Poehler and the Late Night host with two additional years together before Poehler left in 2008.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Harrison exited in the second quarter after hitting his head on the turf after catching a 21-yard pass from Jacoby Brissett.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The 2023 Texas Rangers lost here on the final day of the regular season, which forced them to fly across the country and start the playoffs on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Following a medical evaluation, Alaska Airlines said its crew was cleared to fly, and the aircraft continued on after a 90-minute delay.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Green’s 49-yard run scramble moved the Razorbacks to the Texas A&M 39 just before the 2-minute timeout of the fourth quarter.—
Matt Jones,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Calderhead focuses on the British tactic, enacted two days after the initial attack, of moving their fleet into Flushing Bay to anchor for the night.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In Van Horn, ninety miles southwest of Pecos, the shelter consisted of four outdoor cages bolted to a concrete pad.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Suddenly the big buck came crashing up from the forest floor and bolted toward the right.—
Bob Cary,
Outdoor Life,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their speed means the drones can often get to a crime scene faster than an officer, the chief said.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
But getting there may have been the easy part.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share