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
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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
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Assuming six weeks of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the company predicts oil prices peaking at $115 per barrel in April and retreating by nearly a third to $80 by the end of the year.—
Alison Saldanha,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Season 3 of the show ended with Sully departing for Ireland to support his new girlfriend, Helen Culver (Kate Vernon), whose novel was being adapted for TV there.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
23 Mar. 2026
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The Federal Aviation Administration has for years had a chronic shortage of air traffic controllers, who routinely put in overtime and work six-day weeks, while dealing with radar and communication systems that can briefly put them out of touch with incoming and departing aircraft.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Co-written, directed and produced by Jamila, Season 1 is set in late-1980s Canada, centring on two siblings struggling to adapt to a new life after fleeing Lebanon.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
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If convicted, Talley faces up to 7 years in prison on the fleeing charge, up to 4 years in prison on the property damage charge, and up to 6 months in jail on the stunt driving charge.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 24,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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McBride, making a hustle play midway through the third quarter of Tuesday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, grabbed at the same area that required surgery just two months ago before exiting the game for good.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
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After swinging around the far side of the moon and exiting the lunar sphere of influence, three small burns will ensure Orion is on the right course for splashdown, with the last one occurring on the 10th day of the flight.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Fort Collins now has drones flying the city nearly every day as a resource to the police, fire and utilities departments.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Meteor showers such as the Lyrids can be tracked yearly, because the debris flying through the night sky in fiery streaks is coming from the same comet.—
Hali Smith
March 31,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Number 17 in the current THSB Private Large Schools rankings, Grace Prep could be moving up in that poll next week after a 4-3 victory over No 4 Fort Worth Christian earlier this week.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
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With Mercury, Mars, the Sun, Saturn, and Neptune all moving through Aries this month, along with a new moon in your sign on April 17, the focus shifts decisively to your body, your appearance, and your desires.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That was accomplished by bolting together several aluminum panels.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
11 Mar. 2026
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But, lo and behold, the game survived the pitch clock without Kenesaw Mountain Landis bolting from his slumber, so now comes the ABS challenge to stir the pot even more.—
Kevin Sherrington
Mar. 9,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Europe turned inward, with trade currents mostly running along navigable rivers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
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People can be seen running along the top of the bus and sitting on the front bumper as the driver stares glumly ahead from inside windows tagged with graffiti.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugging out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging%20out. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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