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
-
Just as people must eventually retreat from outdoor living spaces—whether a porch, lawn, or patio—and head indoors, so too must our things.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026 -
In an attempt to spark inspiration for a new Little Death origin story, Kris pays a visit to the present-day Billy, played by a regal, knowing Gillian Anderson, who retreated from public life after that first installment and whom Kris hopes to persuade to appear in her reboot.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The cruise ship departed the Shetland Islands in Scotland on May 6, and also stopped in Brest, France before arriving in Bordeaux, French outlet France 24 previously reported.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
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Richard Midgeley, who worked primarily on international scouting, departed for a college position at Cal.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
That night, both the President and his wife periodically fled upstairs to check on their most beloved son, the eleven-year-old Willie, sick with a fever that would kill him two weeks later.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Prosecutors said that bystanders dialed 911 during the attack, but McHenry fled the scene, the outlet reported.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The lobby’s elevator doors opened and a woman with a giant white saucer on her head and a matching floor-length coat, embellished with red splotches that evoked stab wounds, slowly exited.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
Schultz exited after issuing a one-out walk in the fifth.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The little girl was holding her mom’s hand when the bullets started flying outside the Southern Blvd.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
For now, though, SLS is the only rocket powerful enough and certified to fly Orion to the moon.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The campaign now moves forward with voters weighing sharply different visions for California’s future as the primary draws closer.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
The Raiders had their worst season since moving to Las Vegas last year.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The Rebels were enjoying the greatest season of the modern era and preparing for the College Football Playoff when Kiffin bolted for LSU in spectacularly messy fashion.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2026
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You guys will normally read like 300-500 words before bolting.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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The area North Cornwall has plenty of fancy restaurants, but Prawn on the Lawn in Padstow gets the balance right between sophisticated seafood and laidback service.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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Cameron Brink’s 10 points were the only ones provided by the Sparks’ bench, while the Tempo got 42 points from reserves.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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