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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of bugged out
Matt, your eyes just really bugged out!
—
Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025
Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugged out
Verb
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Fourteen associates had fled the country, officials said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The driver, believed to be a white woman with blonde hair, fled the scene and was last seen driving south on Auraria Parkway, the alert stated.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The vessels carrying nine people departed from Isla Mujeres in southern Mexico on March 20 and then lost contact, fueling concern in Mexico, Cuba and beyond.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The passenger plane, which had 162 passengers and six crew members aboard, had departed from San Francisco and was advised by air traffic control to watch for a military helicopter flying near the airport, according to United Airlines.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But as senators retreated to privately discuss the new plan, action stalled out.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Oil prices have retreated, but there are no signs of a broader relief rally this morning.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Many mid-sized carriers, small fleets and thousands of independent truckers all exited the industry.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
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The staffers then related what had happened to Sean Graham, the WGA West general counsel, who exited shortly thereafter.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Detroit, coming off a 3-2 loss to Ottawa on Tuesday, snapped a two-game skid and moved into a tie in points with the Senators for ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings — and a point back of the New York Islanders.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Toyota has also moved recently to discount its existing bZ electric crossover SUV.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The last time a technology promised to remake business—when the internet emerged in the 1990s—most companies bolted it on and hoped for the best.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
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When Florida Gulf Coast coach Andy Enfield bolted to Southern Cal, Cantens joined the Trojans as their director of scouting and video operations.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Things became chippy in the second quarter when Denver backup center Zeke Nnaji, pressed into action due to the injuries, got into an altercation with De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II after Murray and LJ Cryer exchanged shoves.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Arvidsson helped win the faceoff and got the puck back to McAvoy.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kourani had escaped a strike on a hotel in a nearby area earlier this month.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
While awaiting prosecution for the Mahany Park shooting, Abril escaped from Placer County sheriff’s custody while receiving medical treatment at Sutter Roseville Medical Center.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugged out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugged%20out. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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