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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bug out
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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The Dragon spacecraft docked at the orbital outpost following a 28-hour journey, allowing the crew to exit the vehicle and enter the space station through its Harmony module.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
Verb
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The carrier flies to more than 20 destinations in the U.S. and Mexico, A public charter air carrier, JSX provides service to both major airports like Burbank and Las Vegas and to those not served by major airliners.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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And keep an eye out for the penguin — the airline's mascot as penguins don't fly and technically, neither does this particular plane — which appears like an easter egg throughout the space.—
Bahar Anooshahr,
AZCentral.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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If practice is canceled or moved indoors due to the weather, paid ticket days will be provided with a makeup date, not a refund.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
20 July 2025
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The sky was a deep red, moving into deep blue, then, above that, black.—
Mona Awad,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
Verb
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Twenty-five American women bolted for Britain to serve in the ATA in 1942.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 July 2025
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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
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Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Symptoms of the disease, which can take up to 14 days after exposure to show up, include: Cough Fever Headaches Muscle aches Shortness of breath The disease can be treated with antibiotics, and most healthy people who get infected usually get better, but complications are possible.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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