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
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As President Trump pushes aggressively to reshape the federal government, Democrats have retreated into a political crouch that reflects their powerlessness in Washington.—
Reid J. Epstein,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025 -
The controversy surrounding Costco's DEI initiatives comes as several major U.S. corporations have retreated from similar programs, fearing legal and reputational risks.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The return leg will depart Atlanta at 3:39 p.m., arriving in San Luis Potosi at 4:49 p.m.—
Stella Shon,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Jan. 2025
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The train departs from Denver Union Station at 7 a.m. and arrives in Winter Park at 9:11 a.m., which is ideal timing for nabbing one of the first lift rides of the day.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Assad, whose family had ruled Syria since 1971, fled to Moscow.—
Warren P. Strobel,
arkansasonline.com,
26 Jan. 2025
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While Shapiro survived the attack, Alcala fled the scene but was later caught and arrested, pleading guilty to child molestation.—
Mollie Markowitz,
Fox News,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Strong and her daughter safely exited their home and waited for officers from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office to arrive.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
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Another attorney — Radhika, 28, from New York — exits the limo doing a Bollywood dance, and Allyshia (29-year-old interior designer from Florida) asks the Bachelor to make a wish on her magic lamp.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Editors are awash with clients and premium microphones are flying off the shelves.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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The Bears flew McCarthy in on a private plane on Jan. 15.—
Adam Jahns,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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To land the kiss on her cheek, Trump would have had to either crane his neck or move her hat.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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The snow is moving east Tuesday, and is affecting coastal areas all the way to the Florida Panhandle and southern Carolinas.—
Andrew Freedman,
Axios,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Georgia discovered that again this month when Damon Wilson, a rising junior and five-star recruit, bolted for the portal instead of competing to be Georgia’s starting edge linebacker.—
Seth Emerson,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
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The far-right parties that are part of Netanyahu’s coalition may bolt the government.—
Bret Stephens,
The Mercury News,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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He’s got quite a fastball and has some creativity to him.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
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Having a president who still receives royalty payments for a 1987 book titled The Art of the Deal naturally raises expectations that this is a leader who can, well, get a deal done.—
Chris Dobstaff,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Thesaurus Entries Near bug out
Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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