1
as in retreating
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 exiting
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 bugging 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
Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugging out
Verb
-
With a signature bright plum lip and highlight in her hair, Williams, 61, kept her people close but didn't shy away from the camera, allowing the fashion week photogs to capture her for a solid 15 minutes before retreating to one of the presentation's regal showrooms.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
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That is because buyers have been retreating from the market due to ongoing affordability issues, including still-rising home prices, historically elevated mortgage rates, and growing economic concern linked to government policies.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Mark McNamara will continue having to defend himself against the wrongful-shooting claims of K’aun Green, who McNamara shot four times as Green was exiting a downtown taqueria on March 27, 2022 after a brawl inside the eatery.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
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Paramount executive Marc Weinstock will be exiting his role as president of worldwide marketing and distribution.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bolda’s journey, from fleeing Azerbaijan as a child and resettling in Germany with no money or language, to becoming a teacher and financial mentor, illustrates how mastering money is not only about stability.—
Alain Hunkins,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Claire was secretly pregnant with Byron’s child, and Byron himself was fleeing rumors of an incestuous relationship with his half-sister.—
Thomas Page McBee,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lock your home before departing.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
-
He was then seen departing the residence about 55 minutes later.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The final result needed to be invisible, weightless, scentless, and makeup-gripping, all of which were achieved with flying colors—actually, with no color at all since the formula is completely clear on all skin tones.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Before flying, check your airline’s website for more details on what’s allowed.—
Jessie Beck,
AFAR Media,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Both offenses are moving with little resistance thus far.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Both injuries have significant implications for fantasy, as Jacory Croskey-Merritt is assured more touches in Washington moving forward; in Green Bay, Matthew Golden will have more chances to show his skills with Reed out in Week 3 and beyond.—
Jess Bryant,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This does not mean bolting on new features to your existing products, nor hiring an AI person here or there.—
Barry Libert,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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As reports from the Ukraine war show, taking a drone and bolting a Claymore mine to it isn't new.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Decades from now, Gibson’s grandchildren will be asking about the funny man running along with Gramps.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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And don’t forget to the cast of Baywatch running along Santa Monica Beach.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bugging out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugging%20out. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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