bugged out

verb

past tense of bug out
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

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 bugged out Matt, your eyes just really bugged out! — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugged out
  1. fled
  2. departed
  3. retreated
  4. exited
  5. bolted
  6. moved
  7. escaped
  8. got
Verb
  • Officers said Rodriguez sped out of the lot and fled the scene.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Many fled to neighboring states where horse racing has successfully paired operations with gaming.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fled
Verb
  • The pair, who matched in black leather jackets and jeans, departed the building hand-in-hand and showed off their decorative handcuffs while sharing a steamy kiss.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of departed
Verb
  • Lake Washington is a 200-foot-deep trough carved by glaciers that retreated 16,000 years ago.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Galliano retreated from public life for two years and was found guilty by a Paris court of public insults based on religion, race and ethnicity.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of retreated
Verb
  • At the time of the sale to SNR in 2024, Grieco became the company’s chief executive officer, and Herning exited the business.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Still, in an unusual moment after the game, Cruz exited the clubhouse with trainer Tim Lentych by his side, with Boone waiting for him.
    — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of exited
Verb
  • The Hall of Fame coach is taking over for D’Anton Lynn, who bolted for his alma mater Penn State after two meh seasons.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Flipping the lecture cycle Classically, engineering courses default to hours of lectures where students are expected to take notes, with problem sets and exams bolted on.
    — Jason Corso, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of bolted
Verb
  • Cameron moved up to the division earlier this year and defeated Michaela Kotaskova by unanimous decision in April to claim the vacant WBO title and become a two-weight world champion.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Ragged, jagged or fluffy edges point to a Bristol Type 6 stool, meaning waste moved through the colon too fast for water to be absorbed properly.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of moved
Verb
  • In the mechanical maintenance shop, five employees and the foreman escaped, but two were killed from exposure to the chemical, the report said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Simpson escaped pressure and rolled out to his left before firing a pass to diving receiver Brennan Presley for a touchdown.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of escaped
Verb
  • When the islanders first got their phones back while in Fiji, Melanie had a video call with her sister in an unseen clip.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The San Francisco 49ers got creative in managing some tough cuts Sunday afternoon to get down to a 53-man roster, letting go of their punter and long snapper.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of got

Browse Nearby Words

bugged off
bugged out
bugger
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Cite this Entry

“Bugged out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugged%20out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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