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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Many are retreating from their DEI commitments.—
Sankar Sen,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
-
However, over three days of fighting, a Union Army force sent Confederate soldiers retreating back to the South.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Among those departing are UCP development executives Jennifer Gwarz and Mark Velez and casting head Steven O’Neill.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
The velvety cloth lies flat with 16 fabric fasteners running along the top.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
-
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 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
