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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So instead, to keep costs down and power up, the Starcloud satellite flies what is known as a dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit, circling the planet at a near vertical 83° angle that carries it over the poles and keeps it almost constantly exposed to the sun.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
7 Jan. 2026
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Across the canyon, flames leapt up the Paseo Miramar trail, still two miles away as the crow flies, but already too close to ignore.—
Jonathan Taplin,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After Jack drives away, Rachel realizes her predicament and exits her car to find Alice.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
9 Jan. 2026
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The money will only be returned after the traveler exits the US before the expiry of their visa.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Brunson retreats and ultimately turns the ball over on a pass to Miles McBride.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
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As Gustav aims to work his way back into their lives, Nora retreats into isolation as her mental health increasingly declines.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Continue reading … OCEAN ESCAPE – Sanctioned tanker flees US forces, now under Russian naval escort off Irish coast.—
,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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Shane Stant clubs Kerrigan on the knee and flees the scene.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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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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
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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 13 Jan. 2026.
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