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
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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
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Recent Examples of bug out
Her baby's father answered the door with his eyes bugging out, and Frierson barged in to find two other guys, needles, spoons and powder on the table.
—
Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 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
See All Example Sentences for bug out
Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 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
See All Example Sentences for bug out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug out
Verb
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And if the Fed ends up cutting fewer times than traders expect, including three this year, the market could retreat in disappointment.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
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One deputy retreated while two of them fired their guns, hitting Williams and Lane, authorities said.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Then, when Williams departed for the NFL Draft, Nelson would compete to be the starter.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Ten of the league’s 12 schools departed last August, but the conference plans on expanding to nine teams starting next school year.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Following its defeat by Communist Party forces in the Chinese Civil War, the Chinese Nationalist movement, led by Chiang Kai-shek, fled to the island in 1949 as a government in exile.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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In six months, the site has grown from 600 people fleeing gang attacks in nearby Delmas 30 to 5,000 people from all over the capital, sheltering in packed government offices and makeshift shacks.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Center Jonny King exited last week’s matchup against North Carolina with a back injury and is pushing to return against Rice next Thursday night.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Sep. 2025
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Kevorian Barnes exits with injury TCU wasn’t able to get out of the game completely healthy, as starting running back Kevorian Barnes exited the game in the first half after getting hit on a 7-yard carry.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While some travelers choose to fly on Thanksgiving Day for lower prices and crowds, most leave at least a day early to avoid the risk of cancellations or delays upending their holiday plans.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Two games in, though, the Packers have passed both tests with flying colors.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Plants can’t move like people do, so they are exposed to the sun all day long, Fuller said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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Both offenses are moving with little resistance thus far.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When security is built in rather than bolted on, multitenant systems can rival or even surpass single-tenant ones.—
Khash Kiani,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Wait for your lettuce plants to bolt or flower.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The company argues that the traffic which sites do manage to get from users now comes from users who are more engaged and thus more valuable.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Ahead of the premiere of her new Netflix series, Too Much, written for her by Lena Dunham, the 33-year-old reflects on what got her to this moment.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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