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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That may help to explain why premium spirits brands are not retreating in the face of no-and-low.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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But retreating indoors can come at a cost.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
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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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
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Mangione is accused of stalking Thompson and shooting him in the back outside a Manhattan Hilton hotel, then fleeing to Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was arrested while eating a McDonald's breakfast.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
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.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
23 June 2026
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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.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Verb
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Anthony Maglione was flying from Pittsburgh to Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, via Philadelphia on March 16 and started having issues soon after his first flight.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
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Federal prosecutors have said conspirators in the alleged plot discussed flying drones loaded with explosives over the event and then shooting into the fleeing crowd.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
Verb
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Officers can use voice commands, and if those don’t work options include pepper spray, a baton, a TASER or fire extinguisher, though some are more difficult to use on a fast-moving animal, the directive says.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
Verb
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The fintechs that came through the shakeout in good shape had already built compliance like a product, instead of bolting it on later.—
Agustín Guerra,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
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In that short time, shares have risen around 40%, bolting the company's valuation above that of Amazon's.—
Sean Conlon,Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Ukrainian drones have taken aerial control of three highways running along the coast to Crimea, according to analyst Mick Ryan, author of the blog Futura Doctrina and formerly a senior officer in the Australian army.—
Gianluca Mezzofiore,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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Tyler Kolek, a second-year guard who played around 12 minutes per game during the regular season and appeared toward the end of eight games during the team’s playoff run, was spotted running along the barricades down Broadway, high-fiving fans who were eager to see him and celebrate together.—
Scott Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugging out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging%20out. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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