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.
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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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Glaciers all over the world -- especially in Antarctica -- are also retreating at a rapid pace, recent research shows.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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After losing her job and her boyfriend, Jamie retreats to her small hometown in Texas, where her friends and memories of a fateful summer in high school turn her life upside down.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The small plane had just departed from Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) and was on its way to Boston when the issue occurred, according to news outlet Nantucket Current.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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The vessel was allegedly scheduled to depart on July 9, 2023, but in late June, the victims repeatedly asked for travel documents, per the affidavit.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tens of thousands fled by boat from Hue, many drowning in the attempt, and by the end of March a million refugees—soldiers, civilians, whole extended families—were clogging Route 7B, a major highway, trying to get farther south.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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More than 12 million have had to flee their homes, earning Sudan the unfortunate privilege of having the world’s worst displacement crisis.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
McLean was sensational before exiting.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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The rush of investors looking to exit private credit funds at Apollo, Blue Owl, Blackstone, BlackRock, and Cliffwater has hit unprecedented levels, raising the specter of prolonged pressure on the firms, The Wall Street Journal reported.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Using the HistoPad, visitors fly down a dirt road flanked by wooden snake rail fences to the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
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While an annoyance at times for the crew, it's been a relatively minor issue given the technical challenges of safely flying to the moon and back.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The instinctive Moon moves through your 11th House of Shared Hopes, trining surprising Uranus in your talkative 3rd house.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
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Groundwater tests in 1992 reveal gasoline was moving towards the Morningside house.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That the content will become marketing and the audience will bolt.—
Jonathan Hunt,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
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When the Consumer Price Index for March is released on Friday morning, it’s expected to show that US inflation bolted higher – a direct result of the Middle East war’s energy shock.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After getting them down with the aid of a ladder, the store assistant had to wipe off the dust.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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After Dallas got even, Ryan Hartman's power-play goal with 9 seconds left in the second period put Minnesota up 4-3.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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