1
as in retreating
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 departing
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 bugging out
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
Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugging out
Verb
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In the third quarter, after taking a tumble, Green reached out and grabbed the ankle of a retreating Jabari Smith Jr.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
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However, the ice sheet has been retreating from the grounding line in the most vulnerable regions at a rate of more than 170 square miles per year.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Chenal joins his fellow departing Chiefs from the 2022 draft class, all of whom were part of the back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams in 2022 and 2023.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
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Lock your home before departing.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Yamaha joins a wave of major corporations fleeing California, including Tesla, In-N-Out and Chevron, citing costly regulations and unfavorable business conditions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Despite concerns about wealthy New Yorkers fleeing our city, the real exodus is happening in the middle.—
Gary LaBarbera,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Friday, Azueta said students were exiting out the back of the studio, where they are often picked up by parents.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Even with Reiver Sanmartin exiting the tournament due to injury, the Giants have seven players on their 40-man roster competing in the WBC.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Keep reading to discover all the best fashion sneaker collaborations to scoop up this spring—they’re already flying.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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According to Diio by Cirium data, the airline is flying more than 1,100 flights at the airport this month.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kiwis moving abroad is not uncommon, and more Kiwis generally are choosing to leave than before; in the year ending November 2025, almost 122,000 people emigrated, a 4% jump from the previous year and higher than a previous spike in 2012.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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Ultimately, what this study’s findings highlight is that planning for a slow-moving, politically contentious issue like sea-level rise, one that doesn’t have the immediacy of a wildfire or an earthquake, is complex and constantly evolving.—
Marcos Magaña,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Choose varieties that can grow in hotter weather without bolting (flowering).—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
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The long-shot basket sent players from the Clippers’ bench — and some fans in the stands, too — bolting onto the court in a wild celebration.—
Greg Dudek,
Boston Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The focal point of the apartment is a custom installation running along one wall of the living room, with different sections playing different functions.—
Giada Storelli,
Architectural Digest,
7 Mar. 2026
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Two distinct bands running along the sides of adult Akarotaxis gouldae — absent on Akarotaxis nudiceps — should have been a giveaway.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugging out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging%20out. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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