1
as in flies
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 exits
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 bugs out
Sealing cracks, maintaining your yard, and using insect barriers are the most effective ways to keep boxelder bugs out.
—
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
The clear lids have a tight seal that locks the temperature in and keeps the fire ants and love bugs out.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
The clear lids have a tight seal that locks the temperature in and keeps the fire ants and love bugs out.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugs out
Verb
-
One area that flies under the AI radar of most consumers is the processing of audio content.—
Karl Freund,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
No one confuses kilowatt-hours with productivity, yet no serious economy flies blind without tracking them.—
Noosheen Hashemi,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hardee’s, the fast-food chain that has spent decades anchoring exits off Southern interstates, is officially back in NASCAR.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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Once that system exits Wednesday night, precipitation chances decrease, but the weather turns increasingly harsh.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Des Moines Register,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Menopause retreats at properties with spas take that tension-melting vibe a step further.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Less well defined is the character of Miss Delavigne, although she’s wonderfully portrayed by Englert, who retreats into this mousy persona.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The question now is will the Chargers’ defense be as sound and productive if defensive coordinator Jesse Minter departs for one of the many head coaching positions around the NFL?—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
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House of Fear also departs from its predecessors in that there can be only one winner.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jimmy flees and Bundle chases him through the train.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
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From there, the pressure ramps up, with glimpses of Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito in pursuit as the missing girl flees from danger.—
Lisa de los Reyes,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One slightly wrong rate in a budget, procurement forecast, or loan estimate easily moves millions of dollars in the wrong direction.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Honda moves forward, turning to the right.—
Devon Lum,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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With that in mind, here are a few free agent options who could fit the Yankees if Bellinger bolts.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The canine then bolts across the field and is immediately chased by one horse, with about five more joining in moments later.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Blast bugs off your house with the garden hose.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bugs out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugs%20out. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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