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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bugging out
There’s a wonderful small moment midway through the season where Reilly’s lightly bugging out in his dingy apartment, shaking out his limbs at sharp, insectile angles to get comfortable.
—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
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
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
26 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugging out
Verb
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Rather than retreating into defensive shape after losing possession, teams are immediately attempting to recover the ball high up the pitch.
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Officials said the dog's owner attempted to use bear spray while retreating from the area but was unsuccessful.
Verb
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Geoff was concerned about his children departing for college, leaving him and his wife as empty nesters.
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Also departing was Celebrity Autobiography, the specialty show with a rotating cast of stars reading the memoirs of other celebrities to comic effect.
Verb
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Lastly, Salinas had an active warrant against him filed in May for fleeing from police after a hit and run.
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Upon arrival, officers saw two people and a child allegedly fleeing from the store into a vehicle.
Verb
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An Uber driver taking fans to Kansas City’s first World Cup match was injured, as was a woman who was exiting Interstate 70 on her way to pick up her brother.
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The ships included eight tankers and two cargo ships exiting the Persian Gulf and eight tankers and six cargo ships entering it.
Verb
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Taylor loves her Easter eggs, and there are rumors flying that Madison Square Garden is simply a bold ploy to redirect fans’ (and the media’s) attention away from where her true nuptials will be.
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So, at this point, the town of Calistoga doesn't seem willing to take a chance that flying cars will be showing up any time soon.
Verb
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Ashton's journey from moving bins to cleaning them demonstrates that a complete roadmap isn't necessary; curiosity and taking the next step are crucial.
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These wearable devices are rapidly moving away from novelty into the mainstream.
Verb
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Legacy giants are bolting AI features onto old platforms to justify seat prices.
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Ujiri engineered the trade in 2018 that brought Leonard to the Raptors without the player agreeing to an extension, and the result was a championship followed by Leonard bolting to the Clippers.
Verb
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The district is in the central part of Palm Beach County, running along the coast.
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Her car was found with its engine still running along the Blue Route off-ramp to Route 1.
Cite this Entry
“Bugging out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging%20out. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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