Synonyms of bugging out

bugging out

verb

present participle of bug out

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

• retreating
• fleeing
• flying
• bolting
• running away
• running off
• running
• beating it
• turning tail
• beating a retreat
• escaping
• making tracks
• hightailing (it)
• breaking
• getting (away)
• skipping (out)
• getting out
• clearing out
• making off
• lighting out
• skedaddling
• lamming
• mizzling
• absconding
• skirring
• eloping
• scramming
• decamping
• scarpering
• scatting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confronting
• facing
• daring
• hanging around
• defying
• braving
• remaining
• lingering
• staying
• sticking around
• dwelling
• bearding
• abiding
• tarrying

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

• departing
• exiting
• moving
• running along
• going
• buzzing (off)
• peeling off
• pulling out
• walking out
• packing (up or off)
• stepping (along)
• pushing on
• digging out
• pushing off
• bailing out
• shoving (off)
• getting off
• getting
• cutting out
• going off
• clearing out
• taking off
• sallying (forth)
• clearing off
• beating it
• buggering off
• starting
• bugging off
• hitting the road
• evacuating
• fleeing
• taking a powder
• escaping
• piking (out or off)
• taking a hike
• pulling stakes
• parting
• striking out
• bailing
• flying
• quitting
• setting out
• running away
• booking
• vamoosing
• getting out
• going out
• withdrawing
• retiring
• scarpering
• stepping out
• retreating
• skipping
• emigrating
• lighting out
• mizzling
• abandoning
• removing
• absconding
• deserting
• vacating
• forsaking
• scramming
• decamping
• scatting
• adjourning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• coming
• showing up
• arriving
• remaining
• turning up
• staying
• settling
• approaching
• abiding
• lodging
• closing
• dwelling
• nearing
• reaching
• hitting
• tarrying
• landing

Example Sentences

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