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
Relevance
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
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
Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugs out
Verb
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At altitudes of 20 to 100 kilometers (12 to 62 miles), the DF-17 flies below the reach of most midcourse missile defence systems, which usually operate above 100 kilometers (62 miles).—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Sep. 2025
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China views President Lai as a campaigner for Taiwanese independence, a stance that flies in the face of Beijing's belief that Taiwan should be under its control.—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
According to Jones, flight attendants will deploy it when a pilot exits the cockpit to use the lavatory or for any other reason.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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This coincided with a number of high-profile exits at the agency.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The film follows reclusive novelist Ohm Bauman (Scott), who retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, but the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
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And the resort will continue its three-day Alo Moves retreats post-renovation.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Physio Ash Pracy departs while head of women’s physio Amy Cranston is also taking maternity leave on a temporary basis.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
From Zurich Airport, hop on Switzerland’s efficient SBB rail system, which departs every hour and whisks you toward the Alps in just over three hours.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Pascal would star as a corrupt cop who flees 1930s Los Angeles for Mexico with his lover, played by Danny Ramirez.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
27 Aug. 2025
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Peacemaker flees back into the QUC and alternate Peacemaker follows.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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During a total lunar eclipse, the moon moves into the Earth's inner shadow, which is known as the umbra.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Blast bugs off your house with the garden hose.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Chinese government runs an array of grantmaking programs to fund and promote research aligned with its national interests.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
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Max Verstappen’s Red Bull contract runs to 2028, while McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are also on long-term deals.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bugs out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugs%20out. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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