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
-
And in this story, Superman retreats from the world after being rejected by the public for adhering to an older moral code.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 July 2025 -
But after several major box office debacles, including Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, Apple retreated.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
9 July 2025
Verb
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The team departed from Alexandria to the airport soon after what became its final match of the tournament.—
Lee Igel,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
According to flight tracker Flightradar24, the plane departed at 2:36 p.m. and returned to the ground at 3:22 p.m.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
In July 1987, flooding on the Guadalupe River in Kerr County forced hundreds of people to flee the area.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
12 July 2025
-
Some thought the noises were gunfire, which prompted large groups to flee the park.—
Cameron Knight,
The Enquirer,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
The pilot and three passengers were able to safely exit the plane.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
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Here, exiting through the gift shop—fittingly named Lucky Rabbit—is a way to keep the story going at home.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Passengers flying in the United States at certain airports are no longer required to take off their shoes when going through security lines, according to news outlets including CBS News and The New York Times on Monday.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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After his strike flew past U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese, Jimenez briefly celebrated with his teammates before sitting on the turf at NRG Stadium, pulling out a Mexico jersey with Jota’s name and number (#20), and mimicking playing a video game.—
Martin Rogers,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
Crisis response is best handled when teams move together.—
Matthew Polega,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 July 2025
Verb
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On breaks, journalists would sometimes bolt out of the courthouse, furiously typing or relaying notes to editors over the phone in an attempt to be the first to file breaking news.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
9 July 2025
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The Doberman had apparently bolted during the night and sought refuge in the stranger's yard.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Maybe there's a path for Turner to get there eventually.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
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So much for my hope that Jess would get a promotion!—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
8 July 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 19 Jul. 2025.
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