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
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
-
Haiti continues to stand before far larger powers — culturally, economically, politically — without retreating.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
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The video appears to show a person standing with a snow shovel outside the house, near the street, then retreating toward the house and tossing the shovel into the yard.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Below them, clattering on a dozen parallel tracks, the trains were coming and going, arriving and departing, thundering underground.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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The compact helicopter features head-to-toe panoramic windows and accommodates two guests, departing directly from Qualia’s helipad.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Between 2012 and 2015, Perry was also convicted of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, domestic violence, possession of ammunition as a felon and fleeing from police in Sacramento County, according to the criminal complaint.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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Continue reading … IN OTHER NEWS GOLDEN STATE EXODUS — Californians fleeing to red states are driving up home prices and rents in their new cities, data shows.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Rather than pivoting the space again, Tilford said his restaurant group is exiting entirely.—
Jenna Thompson
June 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
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Demonstrators have been attempting to block people and vehicles from entering and exiting, linking their arms in a human chain and using trash cans, umbrellas and other items as makeshift shields and barricades.—
Philip Marcelo,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
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How about flying a chopper over the Great Barrier Reef from the on-site helipad?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Beside her, the dog shakes itself, droplets flying from it, then fixes her with an appraising gaze.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Nippon Dynawave was cited for moving equipment involved before it could be inspected, but not for the incident itself, the news outlet reported.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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Remember, as little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Verb
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So, a bit of shade can prevent bolting and keep the soil cooler, extending their harvest and yielding tender, flavorful roots.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 May 2026
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You guys will normally read like 300-500 words before bolting.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Photonics can be used in AI infrastructure by using light to move data between graphics processing units (GPUs), memory, networking chips, servers and data centers, instead of relying on electrical signals running along copper.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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But these mustangs are a herd of horses that escaped a person’s property on May 11 and have since been seen running along Interstate 40 and Highway 70, the county said in a news release.—
Jeff A. Chamer
May 19,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugging out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging%20out. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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