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
-
Escape Manhattan's relentless energy by retreating to a luxe hotel in Brooklyn.—
Malik Peay,
USA Today,
24 May 2025 -
Trump hasn’t been tapped along because Putin has never retreated from his annexation ends or his savage means.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
24 May 2025
Verb
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The 26-year-old England full-back will depart Anfield after nine years with the first team that brought 352 appearances, 23 goals, 86 assists and eight domestic, European and world trophies.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
After the ceremony ended, Trump quickly departed to play a round of golf.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
But in 1986, after three years of public protests, the Marcoses fled into exile, with a planeload of jewels, cash, and gold bars.—
Evan Osnos,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
-
The suspect who fled the scene of a shooting at McCabe’s bar was arrested on Sunday, according to the DeLand Police Department.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
Fischer explained that she's heard a narrative that the show declined in quality about halfway through its run, which lasted from 2005 until 2013, and that the sitcom struggled once series lead Steve Carell exited during season 7.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
29 May 2025
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Four other transfer quarterbacks also exited with years to spare.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Verb
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This technology allows even those with limited flying experience to handle the bike safely and confidently.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
-
Plane flies 'No Boys in Girls' Sports' banner at California track and field state championship.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Verb
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If the execution moves forward this time, Smith will be the first inmate executed in Tennessee since 2020 and the 19th in the U.S. this year.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
This can block food and stool moving through the intestine, causing constipation.—
Kelly Burch,
Verywell Health,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Two people accused of assisting the inmates who bolted from a New Orleans jail in last Friday's mass escape have been arrested as the search for fugitives still at large stetched into its sixth day, officials said.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
21 May 2025
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Schultz bolts out of the room, and Deschanel's character whips a ukulele out of thin air.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Clients would get the remains of not only their loved one, but also the remains of other bodies.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
2 June 2025
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Left-hander Pierce Coppola got the start and, after a dominant return against Alabama to the tune of 10 strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings, just couldn’t find the zone.—
Jackson Castellano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 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 4 Jun. 2025.
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