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
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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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Crypto stocks — Stocks linked to the price of bitcoin fell after the cryptocurrency retreated around 3% to hover around the $80,000 level.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025 -
From rollbacks on reproductive rights in the U.S. to the dismantling of environmental protections and the amplification of xenophobia, governments are retreating from their responsibilities to protect vulnerable communities and future generations.—
Paul Klein,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Now, the beloved brand is entering a new phase: departing from the L’Oréal umbrella to be independently-owned once again.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
4 Mar. 2025
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United 5690 had departed Springfield, Missouri, en route to Houston at 4:48 p.m. and made an emergency landing an hour and 40 minutes later at Waco Regional Airport.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In May 2023, while awaiting trial in a Virginia jail, Marin-Sotelo and another inmate managed to escape, with Marin-Sotelo fleeing to Mexico.—
Max Saltman,
CNN,
3 Mar. 2025
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The mother of a woman killed when an unlicensed driver crashed his Mercedes-Benz into a school bus in Brooklyn is calling for justice after police said the driver fled the scene in a taxi, leaving her daughter to die in the front seat.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Security camera footage showed the two suspects entering the apartment building at about 4:24 p.m. Monday and going to the door of the apartment, then exiting from a rear staircase at approximately 4:30 p.m., according to the incident report.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2025
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Before exiting, Congressman Maxwell Frost also had a parting look.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
WWD,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But when the goodbyes were over, Norris got a plane and flew down to meet the Sabres in South Florida.—
Matthew Fairburn,
The Athletic,
9 Mar. 2025
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Ramsey flies more than 400,000 miles per year and has traveled to all 7 continents, 50 U.S. states and 173 of the United Nations countries.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Re-signing two of their own free agents, defensive tackle Kevin Givens and running back Patrick Taylor Jr., to one-year deals didn’t move the enthusiasm needle much, either.—
Matt Barrows,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
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After appearing to be instantly knocked unconscious, she was quickly moved and treated by medics trackside as the race continued.—
Julia Andersen,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This hybrid drive train is bolted to a 10 speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting modes and tow / haul select.—
Tony Leopardo,
The Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2025
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In exchange for dropping their lawsuits and their active attempts to bolt for greener pastures, Florida State and Clemson (and the rest of the ACC) have agreed to a new revenue distribution model that will reward the members that drive the most viewership.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Watkins made some bad decisions in traffic, and the Bruins were able to get away with some contact in the paint.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
10 Mar. 2025
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Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.—
Nick Crain,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 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 15 Mar. 2025.
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