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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Instead of an opportunity to gawk and marvel, The Silent Twins presents these two sisters — who retreated inside themselves and spoke only to each other for years — with a sense of complete individuality and autonomy.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025 -
The Yankees’ second baseman then threw his helmet before retreating to the clubhouse.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
18 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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With Evans departing, Villanova calling and a chance to choose what will probably be the last major job of his career, Willard opted for what must have felt like the safer long-term bet.—
Childs Walker,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The spreading violence has forced more than 60,000 Haitians to flee their homes in just a month, according to the United Nations, and attacks have brought all economic activity in downtown Port-au-Prince to a halt as schools, businesses and government offices close their doors.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2025
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That includes Soviet and Vietnamese citizens fleeing turmoil in their home countries.—
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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In the show, Joel flies in like a bat out of hell and violently knocks Seth to the ground before telling him to get the hell out.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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The aircraft flew north along the Hudson River and later turned south after reaching the George Washington Bridge, according to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
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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This refreshing serum gets its tingle from peppermint and tea tree, which works with caffeine to invigorate the scalp and maximize the absorption of the formula’s peptides.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
14 Apr. 2025
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Perry shared a series of photographs of Lucio growing up: at 3 months, 7 months, and a year old, with his hair getting longer and curlier each time, before bringing the now 18-month-old Lucio into the video.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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 22 Apr. 2025.
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