1
as in fled
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 departed
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
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.
Recent Examples of bugged out
Matt, your eyes just really bugged out!
—
Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025
Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugged out
Verb
-
Tanya Veluz fled the Eaton Fire with her 10-year-old as ash and embers rained down.—
Aarne Heikkila,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
Refugees fled south as communist troops stormed down Highway 1, heading for the nation’s capital, Saigon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius began after a Dutch cruise ship carrying 147 passengers and crew departed Argentina on April 1 for a South Atlantic voyage.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
-
Earlier Thursday afternoon, the plane departed Akron Fulton Regional Airport — just a few miles from the crash site — before the pilot turned back and canceled the landing for unknown reasons, WEWS reported.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the last four years, carriers have retreated from the state entirely or have paused writing new policies.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 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
-
There was a pause in the action in the fourth inning when plate umpire Brian O’Nora exited with concussion-like symptoms after getting hit by a foul ball.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
With the Royals using multiple relievers in Friday’s loss — six, after starter Michael Wacha exited — there was a chance his name would be called at some point Saturday afternoon.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
After staff members broke up the altercation for a second time, several individuals, including Hayes and two of her daughters, were moved to a grassy area beside the school building, according to the affidavit.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
Fugaz moved to this location early last year—the former spot was, though somewhat unbelievable, even smaller.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Though how Kiffin bolted Ole Miss for LSU, walking out when his team was on the verge of competing for a national championship, seemed to epitomize the larger tensions.—
Chris Smith,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
-
Surveillance video shows the pair tried to steal the ATM, which is bolted to the floor inside, before giving up.—
Tara Molina,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
White Sox fans got the last laugh on Sunday afternoon as their squad completed a wild, thrilling comeback victory over their crosstown rivals.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Maddie Eisler, a Manhattan Pilates instructor, was trying to explain why Shaggy got the shakes.—
Natalie Meade,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Stray bits of hair escaped my ponytail and stung my eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
The injured duckling was treated at a veterinary clinic while the other ducklings escaped the area with the mother duck.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bugged out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugged%20out. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
