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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Financial markets have retreated this year amid mounting concerns that the Trump administration's economic policies could jar spending by American consumers and businesses, hurting economic growth.—
Anne Marie Lee,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2025 -
Pelicans add another dimension to the scene on these deep lakes, formed roughly 12,000 years ago after the glaciers retreated allowing meltwater to form Channel Lake, Lake Marie, Loon Lake and others in northern Illinois.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Fields and Wilson departed this offseason, while backup Skylar Thompson was signed and Rudolph returned, possibly starting if the Steelers don't sign Rodgers and make a big trade.—
Ryan Deto,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
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King said records show the plane arrived there March 22 and departed the day of the crash.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Fires are not a material risk, and neither are the crowds fleeing them.—
Rascal Kemble-Curry,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2025
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In Venezuela and Nicaragua, repressive regimes have also prompted a humanitarian crisis that has forced millions to flee.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While stocks may continue their short-term celebration, the long-term sustainability of this rally is being undermined by something few are talking about: a major foreign holder of U.S. debt may be exiting the market in protest.—
Joel Shulman,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Wong remained in the game to finish the inning but soon exited.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Since Trump came to office on Jan. 20, his administration has flown more than 200 people from the U.S. to El Salvador to be imprisoned in CECOT.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
14 Apr. 2025
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Six women will fly to space on the Blue Origin Rocket: former television anchor and fiancée of Jeff Bezos Lauren Sánchez, CBS journalist Gayle King, singer Katy Perry, civil rights activist and scientist Amanda Nguyen, movie producer Kerianna Flynn, and aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The company intended to move the drug into late-stage testing, which is generally the last phase of development before a company submits the potential treatment to government regulators for approval.—
Time,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
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The bill also included moving $1.1 million from the Constitutional Defense Fund into the Legislative Legal Defense Fund.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Consumers and businesses increasingly expect financial services to be built in, not bolted on.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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On Monday, both incoming freshmen recruits bolted as well: Carlsbad High School’s Jake Hall and Uriah Tenette from Prescott, Ariz.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Buttery, flaky croissants peak through and get nice and toasty in the oven.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2025
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The candidates advanced to Sunday’s contest after getting the most votes in February’s first-round election.—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 2025.
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