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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The vehicle that Routh had fled in — the black Nissan Xterra — also bore a license plate that was not registered to the car, according to the court filing.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025 -
Twelve days after Smith fled, authorities received a call that two men had been shot while on a hunting trip near Kiana.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Glenn Martens for Maison Margiela Succeeding John Galliano—who departed the brand after 10 years in December of 2024—Martens is currently the creative director at both Maison Margiela and Diesel, connected through their parent company OTB Group.—
Elizabeth Grace Coyne,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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The United dressing room was said to be toxic and fractured when Mourinho departed, with Solskjaer would be the man to repair it.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gerson believes the gangs have retreated.—
Johnny Fils-Aimé,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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Runner-up Sabalenka, meanwhile, retreated to another area, smashed her racket until the frame buckled and sat with her back against the wall, next to the scratch marks left on the floor.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the photos, Justin, 31, could be seen placing his hand on his wife’s back as exited their black SUV and headed inside.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Last week, it was revealed that Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim have exited the long-running NBC sketch comedy series — the most departures since 2022, when eight people left SNL ahead of season 48.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Boise Pride moved the route from the heart of downtown to River Street, between South 13th and 9th streets.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Sep. 2025
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Fire crossed Dinkey Creek and moved north toward Oak Flat.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cal Poly bolted 75 yards on nine plays for its first TD, a 12-yard pass from 6-foot-6 Ty Dieffenbach to Michael Briscoe.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
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In the second quarter Friday night, Beatty bolted down the middle of the field to catch Altmyer’s pass.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Marcell Ozuna was the DH in each of the next 16 games after that game, before splitting those duties in the past week as Murphy, Acuña and Profar each got one start at DH.—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
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Judging from the excitement that could be heard in Murphy's voice, the Silverdome years got even better for he and his father when future Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders joined the Lions in 1989.—
Scott Talley,
Freep.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Two 12-year-old girls escaped the fire.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
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Families escaped to calm waters for canoeing, hiking, and long afternoons spent idling on the shore.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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