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
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Beaming for the cameras, the two exchanged a warm, firm handshake before retreating from the public eye and into the confines of the Russian presidential limousine for a private, hour-long discussion.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
3 Dec. 2025
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Lenders are retreating, property values are falling and construction is stalling.—
Joy Chen,
Mercury News,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Among those departing are UCP development executives Jennifer Gwarz and Mark Velez and casting head Steven O’Neill.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
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Taylor, who will officially start the job on July 27, is departing her current post as CEO of Zevia PBC, a maker of zero-sugar beverages.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
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His family migrated from Nicaragua in late 2022, fleeing political persecution, and were in asylum proceedings when Wilbur was detained.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
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Proper told investigators that a group planned to stage a demonstration outside the White House, fly small drones laden with explosives to detonate outside the arena to force the crowd to evacuate, and act as snipers to shoot people fleeing the event.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The shooting happened Sunday after three people, including the child, got into a vehicle after exiting a Walmart in Senatobia, according to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the shooting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
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Another factor in the oil trade is the number of ships entering the Persian Gulf as well as exiting.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Verb
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After flying overnight from San Antonio back to the Big Apple, Jose Alvarado, also a native New Yorker, took part in a local Puerto Rican Day Parade, and the mayor joined him in the fun.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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Videos circulating online show Eduarda flying through the air, both arms outstretched, in the moments before her death.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Now the brand is moving back towards that heritage in its approach to college sports.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
11 Dec. 2025
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Her advice for anyone newly diagnosed with MS is to make social connections and keep moving.—
ANDREW ABRAHAMS,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In another Instagram photo shared moments later, Gene appeared to be bolting upstairs while Schumer posed for the camera — though his face was covered by a yellow heart emoji holding up peace signs.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
30 Nov. 2025
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Most analysts believe Kiffin is torn between staying on at Oxford or bolting to Baton Rouge for the LSU job.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The velvety cloth lies flat with 16 fabric fasteners running along the top.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
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Their bodies vary in color from light to dark gray, have rows of black or charcoal blotches running along them and have a reddish-brown stripe running down the middle of their backs.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugging out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging%20out. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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