1
as in to retreat
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 to depart
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug out
Verb
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April 2025 The Hermit: April invites you to retreat inward, Gemini.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025 -
When the volume of disruption outpaces clarity, managers retreat into operational survival mode and teams follow.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pereira knows that Wolves will lose players in the summer, with Cunha and Ait-Nouri two saleable assets likely to depart, while other more peripheral players will inevitably move on.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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As Americans hunt for dyed eggs, spike their blood sugar levels with Peeps, attend services, enjoy matzoh dishes and memorialize the dearly departed, others may be consuming cannabis products with a sense of ceremony.—
Jeanie Pyun,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Fellow dictatorships including Russia, China, North Korea, Cuba, and Iran lined up behind Maduro while Gonzalez fled the country during the reign of state terror against dissidents that followed the election.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Apr. 2025
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April 19: McVeigh parks the truck outside the federal building and flees on foot to his getaway car.—
Todd Pendleton,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As the two fought, another suspect exited a car and joined in the confrontation, deputies said.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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More drastically, the United States could exit the World Bank entirely, as called for by Project 2025.—
Ngaire Woods,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Trump also directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff in Francis’ honor.—
Darlene Superville,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Conerly and several family members flew from Seattle to the other Washington.—
Ben Standig,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Golden eagles will forage during migration flights and use this uplift from heated air, which also comes from open landscapes, to move efficiently during migration and seasonal movements.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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Some of those are moving along very well, especially the – with the Asian countries.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Caldwell replaces Poona Ford, who bolted for the Rams in free agency.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Apr. 2025
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The tune bolts to No. 1 in just its third week on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After the performances are over and this year's inductees are revealed, viewers will get the chance to vote for their favorite contestants before eliminations.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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Otherwise, a ton of talented players got to achieve their dreams this weekend.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Apr. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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