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
Relevance
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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The film’s opening stretch whizzes along as Charli — a natural, engaging actor — is dragged from one banal, vaguely embarrassing meeting or negotiation to another, sketchy vignettes usually punctuated at their close by Charli putting on her dark sunglasses and retreating back inward.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s remarks Wednesday, suddenly retreating from his threat of military force, could mitigate some of the damage inflicted on Washington’s most cherished relationships.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Six departing flights and six arriving flights had been cancelled at Clinton National Airport in Little Rock as of late Monday afternoon, said Heather Kendrick, a spokesperson for the airport.—
Anne Li,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
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Leader departing Top Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and some of his agents are expected to leave Minneapolis and return to their respective sectors, sources say.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At that same time, Daniels-Strickland allegedly turned and pulled out a handgun from his waistband and fired an unknown number of shots at Clark, Knowles and another person before fleeing the area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
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In Miami, an 88-year-old survivor remembers fleeing on foot at age four, forced into cattle cars and sent to Siberia.—
Talia Kaplan,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Drivers should slow down and use caution when exiting highways, as ramp conditions may vary.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Christian Vesper is exiting his role as Fremantle‘s CEO of Global Drama and Film.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Quayle said that partially because of new restrictions on Newark flying, United will have aircraft available.—
Ted Reed,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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However, on January 29, the Black Hawk was flying following an FAA memorandum which allowed it to be turned off.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The world is moving faster and getting less predictable.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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As a search and knowledge management tool, Dash connects to tools, understands your work, and surfaces context and answers to keep projects moving.—
Caitlin White,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The five-star freshman had committed to USC with every intention of bolting for the NBA after one season, only for the setbacks of the past year to put his likely lottery status in doubt.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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Some organizations are bolting AI onto legacy workflows and gaining marginal productivity.—
Mohamad Ali,
Fortune,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Our great state’s western border, running along New Mexico, was officially set in the Compromise of 1850, which was actually a series of bills passed mainly to address issues related to slavery, according to the National Archives.—
Zacharia Washington,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Gary Messina said he was rushed by a mountain lion while running along the same northern Colorado trail on a dark morning in November.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugging out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging%20out. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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