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
-
Ensure no youth exits state custody alone.—
Sarah Healy Eagan,
Hartford Courant,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sanagustin, who exits as president of Pine Tree Entertainment for the role, will report to Tana Jamieson, co-head and executive vp creative affairs.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
27 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
-
Medical school dean departs Also Friday, the Board of Regents bid farewell after nine years to University of Minnesota Medical School Dean Jakub Tolar, who has been named the new president, chief executive officer and executive dean of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Jan. 2026
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But with no title sponsor after Sunday, when Farmers departs after 17 years, and the PGA Tour expected to implement schedule changes beginning next year, questions have been bouncing around this week like a putt on Torrey’s poa annua greens.—
Jay Posner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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An alien known only as Experiment 626 (Chris Sanders) flees his home planet and crash-lands in Hawaii, where he is adopted by a grieving young girl named Lilo (Daveigh Chase), who takes him for a dog and dubs him Stitch.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Jimmy flees and Bundle chases him through the train.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the romantic drama (which won a special jury award for debut feature), physical therapist Audrey (Moon Choi) moves back home to help her mother recover after a car accident.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Israel says the crossing is scheduled to open Monday as its ceasefire with Hamas moves ahead.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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 3 Feb. 2026.
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