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 gazebo also includes transparent panels designed to keep pesky bugs out without obstructing the breeze or your views.
—
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
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
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugs out
Verb
-
American officials are working to expand the use of sterile male screwworm flies to stop the parasites’ spread.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
-
Time flies, but super exciting.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Park then exits the hotel, where a school bus is picking up students from the event.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
-
Mosley was fired after five years and three consecutive first-round playoff exits with Orlando.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Tortorello said O’Mara would say Mass in the morning with the sisters, the students and staff, and also presided over the large, all-school masses and the Kairos retreats.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
-
Her 50-something protagonist, Alan Anderson, and his socially striving wife Vivian, are at least about to start thinking about where their family is going to go, once Alan retreats to a backyard playhouse.—
Bethanne Patrick,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh departs from the East Room of the White House after a swearing-in ceremony, May 22, 2026.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
The system then recommends a bus departure time to ensure travelers arrive at the BOS terminal at least 45 minutes before their flight departs.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Rue then flees the home as Wayne chases her with a shotgun.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
Charlie flees the scene and Pip makes every effort to save Stanley, putting pressure on his wounds and trying to keep him conscious, dragging his body away from the flames after Charlie sets the place on fire.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
As the aircraft moves backward, the pilot starts each of the primary engines and brings them up to a stable idle.—
David Szondy
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2026
-
Printed circuit boards are the nervous system of every modern device, and when board costs spike, the pain moves fast through phones, laptops, wearables, gaming consoles, routers, and AI servers.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
When spinach bolts, the plant focuses its energy on producing flowers and seeds rather than leaves.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
29 Apr. 2026
-
If Leonard bolts, the Clippers will look to rebuild around young point guard Darius Garland, who came to the team in the Harden trade.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To keep pesky bugs off your skin, the pants feature a rope lock around the cuffs.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
-
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 Jun. 2026.
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