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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The document laid out plans for the Polish army to retreat westward to the Vistula River, which runs through the center of Poland, in case of an invasion from the east by Russia.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
22 Mar. 2025 -
But Newsom appears to have fully retreated on trans-inclusive athletics, conceding to right-wing propagandists Charlie Kirk and Michael Savage without a fuss in the first two episodes of Newsom’s podcast earlier this month.—
Samantha Riedel,
Them,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Piers Morgan presided over a stormy encounter on his chat show, before one guest departed abruptly.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Marine Force one then departed for Joint Base Andrews.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Northcott fled to Canada, but was arrested soon after.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
On March 1, police descended upon Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, where the championship was holding its second day competitions, as a stampede of cheerleaders, coaches and parents ran fleeing from what many believed to be an active shooter situation.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The suspect allegedly drove a black Nissan at a high rate of speed while exiting the highway before losing control of the vehicle and hitting a tree.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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Eyes on Peraza Oswald Peraza, a third base and bench option, is okay after exiting Tuesday’s game against the Red Sox early.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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So, is Disney’s newest leading man taken or flying solo?—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
21 Mar. 2025
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Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicates that 615 flights are scheduled to depart from Heathrow on Saturday, with a further 604 flights due to fly to the airport.—
Tamara Hardingham-Gill,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Once the pandemic came along, Stegemann moved bit by bit from Hamburg out to Bender’s in the countryside.—
Fiona Bornhöft,
Architectural Digest,
22 Mar. 2025
-
The younger Reza grew increasingly involved in the family business as Alexandre’s illness progressed and took it over in 2020, moving operations to New York City.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Hamilton then bolted into the distance at over one second per lap, entirely out of reach.—
Luke Smith,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
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Things got dicey one day in early 2000 when a student bolted after church, Lamm said, then made her way to a neighbor’s and called her mom and the police.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Lucy Dacus has been getting deep in touch with her emotions in anticipation of her fourth studio album, Forever Is a Feeling, out March 28.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
21 Mar. 2025
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Join us at Billboard Women in Music 2025 — get your tickets here.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
21 Mar. 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 29 Mar. 2025.
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