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
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
-
Trump’s remarks Wednesday, suddenly retreating from his threat of military force, could mitigate some of the damage inflicted on Washington’s most cherished relationships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Start the day with a swim in one of the hotel’s three infinity pools before retreating to the bar for a lunchtime cocktail, or the spa for pampering.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Carney departed before the event.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Chisom departed for Oklahoma State via the transfer portal, and Vaughns – who juggled baseball and football before the 2025 season – is on his way toward a potential NFL career.—
Benjamin Royer,
Daily News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
No one was injured, and the suspects fled before deputies arrived.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Other offenses include fleeing from police, escaping from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center, theft, trespassing and giving police a false name.—
Tom Olsen,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The chase continued onto highways 85 and 87 before the suspect exited in Willow Glen and drove to the final shooting site downtown, with officers from San Jose police, the CHP and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office in pursuit.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Surveillance video shows the suspect walking through the aisles before exiting the building.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This result shows the particles do not have a single location while flying through the apparatus.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Peppa and her friends may not be flying around in super suits, traveling through an enchanted world, or saving the neighborhood from a greedy mayor, but their everyday adventures are just as relevant.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Sun Belt Conference preemptively shook up its women’s basketball schedule, moving around the start times on several games from Thursday through Saturday.—
John Raby,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Ukraine has also been frustrated by political disagreements within Europe over how to deal with Russia, as well as the bloc's at times slow-moving responses.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The five-star freshman had committed to USC with every intention of bolting for the NBA after one season, only for the setbacks of the past year to put his likely lottery status in doubt.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Vladislav Gavrikov, who bolted in free agency over the summer, returned to his old stomping grounds for the first time and picked up an assist for his new team and an unwelcome one for his former cohorts as well.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There is now a push to get the issue approved as a ballot measure.—
Will Yakowicz,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Down 117-112 with less than five seconds remaining, Boston got another triple from Pritchard and a gift from Traore, who missed a foul shot that would have put the game away.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
