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
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The flag of the Wilton Rancheria now flies alongside Elk Grove’s city flag in what leaders said is a historic moment for both city and tribe.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The Taurid meteor shower blooms when Earth flies through debris left behind by Comet 2P/Encke.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Yet even as deal activity and exits start to increase, fundraising from institutional investors continues to fall due to a lack of distributions and poor performance in many funds.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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As the former Prince Andrew exits his royal residence, Queen Elizabeth II's beloved corgis will still have a home.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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With Istredd’s sacrifice on the other side of the portal complete, Yennefer’s army teleports behind Vilgefortz, and with the advantage lost, the mage retreats to fight another day.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Now living in Senegal, West Africa, Cope hosts retreats and supports her husband in building a regenerative farm.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The parade departs from the temple, on Tierra Buena Road, and heads onto Butte House Road.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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An American Airlines Airbus A321 taxis at San Diego International Airport as a United Airlines airplane departs on August 24, 2024 in San Diego, California.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Players take on the role of Enzo Favaro, a miner who survives a tunnel collapse and flees the pit after insubordinately attacking a cruel underboss.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
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Blazy gives Odhiang a deep hug, jogs around the runway, and flees toward the exit, smiling.—
Nathan Heller,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The four-meter-wide telescope can detect faint shifts in light that reveal how plasma moves through the corona, allowing scientists to see the sun in unprecedented detail.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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As such, this is a program that will be very interesting to see develop over the coming years and one that the Russian Navy's key adversaries will be watching very closely, as this weapon moves toward operational capability.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Parsley is a biennial that quickly bolts and dies the second year, and since second-year parsley is bitter, it’s typically grown as an annual.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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 9 Nov. 2025.
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