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
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Recent Examples of bug out
In the clip, Crosby's eyes bug out as his head goes from shoulder-to-shoulder watching the ball successfully go in.
—
Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Sealing cracks, maintaining your yard, and using insect barriers are the most effective ways to keep boxelder bugs out.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
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
Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Sealing cracks, maintaining your yard, and using insect barriers are the most effective ways to keep boxelder bugs out.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug out
Verb
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No more eight-minute buffer to retreat to.—
Jennifer Wolfgram,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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My group watched two sets of soldiers march in, twirl their guns, click their heels, and then retreat out of sight.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ryan will throw a bullpen session Saturday, then depart Twins camp to join Team USA.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Disney had said in February that Schake would depart her position after March 18.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Turkey has been further enhancing its border defenses to be able to respond to a potential influx of people fleeing unrest after mass antigovernment protests in Iran were met by a brutal crackdown in January that left thousands dead.—
Serra Yedikardes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Deputies tried to pull the driver over, but the driver instead chose to flee, and during the chase, the driver allegedly turned his headlights off to try and evade deputies, the sheriff's office said.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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They will also be notified of other account activities, such as when their kid adds a new contact or exits a pre-approved group chat.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
12 Mar. 2026
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Mired in post-production for more than three years, with Wyatt temporarily exiting the project, Desert Warrior world premiered at the Zurich Film Festival last autumn and then played at the Red Sea Film Festival in December.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One diner, who works in the hospitality industry and is flying across the country to attend the pop-up and visit friends, is keeping his seat.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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In another set of images by photographer Ian Recchio, who goes by @Lookunderocks on Instagram, another aircraft, described as a business-jet-type platform, was seen flying below the refueling formation.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Andrea Riquier Gas prices rose across the country, and the price of oil was moving higher on Thursday.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
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The Lakers moved up to third place in the Western Conference at 41-25 on the season following their seventh win in eight games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Heat also stresses the plant and can cause bolting.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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At the rate business was humming along, ValenSil was on track to bolt on a third shift, add about eight to 15 more workers, and even purchase land for further expansion.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Vanderbilt got as close as 11 points in the final frame, but Ole Miss was able to hold off the Commodores’ comeback bid.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
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New graduates who could readily relocate, get roommates, or move back in with mom and dad can get away with a smaller emergency fund.—
Christine Benz,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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