1
as in flies
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 exits
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 bugs out
The gazebo also includes transparent panels designed to keep pesky bugs out without obstructing the breeze or your views.
—
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Sealing cracks, maintaining your yard, and using insect barriers are the most effective ways to keep boxelder bugs out.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 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
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Sealing cracks, maintaining your yard, and using insect barriers are the most effective ways to keep boxelder bugs out.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugs out
Verb
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Roughly a mile away as the crow flies is the site of what once was known as Mills College, which was a private, four-year liberal-arts college for women.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
One drone flies right above our heads.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Waymo also notes that the trunk may not open if a rider exits before the vehicle has officially pulled over and ended the trip.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
Officials originally planned to close all northbound and southbound lanes of I-285 on the west side of Atlanta between exits 5 and 9.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The story centers on Zha, a janitor at a bankrupt, long-shuttered film studio who retreats into a virtual world, cultivating an online romance and dreaming of a voyage to the Moon.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 May 2026
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As Elliot retreats from the devastating reality of his illness, father and daughter are forced to confront the unspoken truths between them.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
11 May 2026
Verb
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DeSantis departs The 2026 election marks the end of the DeSantis era in Florida.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
Then, in the second segment from L1 to the moon, the spacecraft later departs along an unstable manifold and transitions into lunar orbit.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
So, Nawi flees on her wedding night.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
-
Searchlight is in development on Lottery, a Permut Presentations drama about a young man with Down syndrome who, after winning the lottery, flees his estranged mother and hits the road with a charming new friend who has ulterior motives of her own.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mercury enters Gemini and moves through your 3rd House of Communication, waking up conversations, messages, and the small decisions that shape your day.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
Once the midweek cold front moves through, a better chance for more areas to see wet weather comes Wednesday afternoon.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Verb
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When spinach bolts, the plant focuses its energy on producing flowers and seeds rather than leaves.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
29 Apr. 2026
-
If Leonard bolts, the Clippers will look to rebuild around young point guard Darius Garland, who came to the team in the Harden trade.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Blast bugs off your house with the garden hose.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bugs out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugs%20out. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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