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
-
With their press broken, Newcastle had to retreat to their 5-4-1 shape but became fatigued making so many recovery runs.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025 -
The Trump administration is rapidly delivering wins to American companies by rolling back regulations, pausing investigations and retreating from lawsuits accusing employers of discrimination.—
Matthew Goldstein,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Bering Air flight departed from Unalakleet, a community of about 690 people in western Alaska, around 2:40 p.m. local time on Thursday.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The plane had departed Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m., Bering Air Director of Operations, David Olson, said, per local outlet KTUU.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
For fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, the sentence is a maximum of three years and one day in prison and or a fine of $5,000.—
Alex Malm,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Right Now The first reveal comes when Ally and Jay decide to fight Heart Eyes rather than flee when the masked murderer is killing people left and right at a drive-in movie theater.—
James Grebey,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
For example, Geico exited its Premier Partner status after the 2024 season.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Launch Ministry opened the Launch Cafe on Jan. 15 with the intent of being a gathering place and community hub, while supporting others in need, particularly youth who are exiting homelessness.—
Graham P. Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Listen to this article A New Jersey man flying from Miami to Newark has been arrested for threatening flight attendants with violence, harassing other passengers and yelling racist slurs while banging on the cockpit door and demanding to see the pilot, federal prosecutors announced Monday.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Next, families fly to Cottar’s Bush Villa in the Maasai Mara’s Borana Wildlife Conservancy, where everyone can gather Circle of Life–style for sundowners at the inspiration for Lion King’s Pride Rock.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
AFAR Media,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Washington Wizards Washington moved multiple players and brought in both Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Will the computer ever understand emotion on its own, what’s moving and what’s funny?—
Elizabeth Stanton,
Fox News,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In the resulting maelstrom, Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina and other southern delegates bolted the convention.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
-
But since Gleyber Torres bolted for the Detroit Tigers, there's still one more significant hole to fill in manager Aaron Boone's infield.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Most people will get HPV, but the vast majority of people show no signs or symptoms.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Ferrell is on the cowbell, and fictional music producer Bruce Dickinson’s (Christopher Walken) gotta have more cowbell, baby.—
Tony Maglio,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share