1
as in to retreat
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 to depart
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug out
Verb
-
Mortensen retreated back into her room and locked the door, immediately texting her housemates.—
Time,
Time,
23 July 2025 -
There have been several boycotts by consumers angry that the retailer has retreated from its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Mike Christensen, an airport spokesman for Hollywood Burbank, said that neither the control tower nor the operations department, which tracks planes departing and arriving, have any record of the Southwest flight plunging in their airspace.—
Rio Yamat,
Chicago Tribune,
26 July 2025
-
Alexander Isak has made clear his desire to depart St James’ Park this summer with Liverpool reportedly interested in signing the Swedish striker.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Yang’s deportation to Laos – a country her parents were forced to flee following US military intervention – underscores the sweeping and aggressive tactics Trump’s White House is using to expel immigrants.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
-
Villagers flee their homes near the Thai border in Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province on July 25, 2025.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
One Reddit thread details several different negative experiences drivers had sitting in traffic while trying to exit to the airport.—
Charles Singh,
The Tennessean,
29 July 2025
-
Jamie Lee Curtis is looking to her legendary parents’ careers as a warning sign for when to exit Hollywood.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
The scene concludes with a lot of digital images flying up on the screen and some positively insane synthesizer music from composer Ennio Morricone.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
19 July 2025
-
The group was exchanged for more than 250 Venezuelans deported from the U.S. and flown in March to El Salvador's high-security prison.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Verb
-
These days, the model keeps a low profile and has completely moved away from the limelight.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
20 July 2025
-
The New England Patriots will move into training camp with an active roster of 91.—
Oliver Thomas,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
Twenty-five American women bolted for Britain to serve in the ATA in 1942.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 July 2025
-
During radiation, a mesh mask was molded to her face and bolted to the table to keep her completely still throughout each session.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
The Raptors got within one on a 3-pointer by Jamal Shead with 3:56 to go.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
20 July 2025
-
And so to be able to execute those and get some quick outs, get some early outs was definitely huge.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
19 July 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share