1
as in fled
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 departed
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 bugged out
Verb
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Kneeland fled on foot, police reported.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025 -
Knapton is said to have then fired five more shots as the burglary suspects fled, then went back into his home, reloaded, and went back outside again.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Michaelson, who departed Fox’s Los Angeles affiliate last summer, makes the case for a West Coast-centric show.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
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Unlike the innumerable photons from sunlight, perhaps a dozen per second trickle through my cornea from this distant messenger, having departed it years ago, colliding with my photoreceptors and ending their unlikely journey.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the time since, many have retreated; not just in fashion, but across industries.—
Bella Webb,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
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Lawrence, once an interview-show staple, has retreated from the spotlight in recent years, choosing her movie roles sparingly and closely guarding her private life.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His departure comes as Michael Michele, one of the series’ leads, exited late last week, as Deadline revealed exclusively.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
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When Holliday exited in 1980 for her own comedy, Ladd was brought in as Belle Dupree, a tough-as-nails waitress once romantically linked to diner owner Mel (Vic Tayback).—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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On an 0-2 pitch, Roberts moved the infield back to double play depth.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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The depth chart got even thinner when Jaishawn Barham, who moved back to inside linebacker after playing on the edge in recent weeks, left the game in the first quarter with an injury.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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San Juan Hills bolted to a 6-0 lead in the third set and, with Hodges scoring on kills and blocks, went on to its 25-11 win to go ahead in sets 2-1.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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Alejandro Alba and his son Jayen got front row seats by arriving at 4am, a full seven hours before the parade started.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
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Prosecutors said that during one visit to the assisted living facility, Fireside got access to the bank account belonging to her mother's boyfriend, then called the bank and guided him on resetting his online information.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Other businesses, including a nearby convention center, restaurant and Ford assembly plant, escaped the blaze.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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The mailman paused, checking to see if anyone had noticed or knew the puppy had escaped.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Bugged out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugged%20out. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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