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
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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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The Yankees’ second baseman then threw his helmet before retreating to the clubhouse.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025 -
Instead of an opportunity to gawk and marvel, The Silent Twins presents these two sisters — who retreated inside themselves and spoke only to each other for years — with a sense of complete individuality and autonomy.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
18 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
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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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Listen to this article 2 min The final day of the 2025 NFL Draft is upon us, and these next four rounds will fly by with prospects hoping a dream calls their name to join them.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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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
Verb
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Coppola was moved by the tributes that had been bestowed.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2025
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Martinez moves well enough laterally to make defenders miss and bounce outside.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
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 1 May. 2025.
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