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
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
Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugging out
Verb
-
Ndiaye also declined to clear the ball, instead trying to thread a pass to retreating teammate Jake Dengler inside the 18-yard box.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Police said security footage from the store shows customers staring and retreating before 53-year-old Tammy Canut of North Huntingdon walks into the frame naked.—
Meghan Schiller,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Also departing is Colin Davis, EVP Comedy Development at Sony Pictures Television Studios.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
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This is the first time in the NIL era that a school and departing player sued each other.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The caller told dispatch workers that a white SUV was fleeing the scene.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Libya has been a main transit point for migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That oil typically gets to customers around the world by exiting the Strait of Hormuz.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Young started in left field in place of Juan Soto, sidelined since exiting Friday night's game with a right calf strain.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Explosions rang out in Tehran and low-flying jets could be heard for hours as the capital was pounded.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Come springtime in the Hamptons, the sight of large flocks of Canada geese, flying in V’s overhead or foraging in fields, brings mixed feelings.—
Emma Allen,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The average retirement age declined steadily in America for decades until around 1990, when the average started moving up again.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mancini coached Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 then failed to get the Azzurri to the next year’s World Cup before bolting to take over Saudi Arabia’s national team.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
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That was, until September 2024 when Gunner was sunbathing outside and suddenly spotted a bunny, bolting after it immediately.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In 2024, experts from the Gulf Coast Canine Project voiced concerns to the state transportation agency about ghost wolf mortality rates along FM 3005, the main road running along the coast, especially as development grows on Galveston Island.—
Ashley Soebroto,
Houston Chronicle,
4 Apr. 2026
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Europe turned inward, with trade currents mostly running along navigable rivers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugging out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging%20out. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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