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
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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
-
Center Jonny King is considered questionable for Saturday’s contest after exiting in the second half against the Tar Heels.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The air-condition, heating and electricity automatically turns off when the keycard is taken out of its slot, but to avoid this many leave one card in the slot when exiting the room.—
Mattias Goldmann,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bolsonaro is under house arrest, surrounded by guards to prevent him from fleeing to a foreign embassy to request asylum.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Campuses are also a common site for hoax active shooter reports, which often causes mass panic and sends students fleeing for safety.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lock your home before departing.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
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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
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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
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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 17 Sep. 2025.
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