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
-
Trump hasn’t been tapped along because Putin has never retreated from his annexation ends or his savage means.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
24 May 2025 -
The project represents the state’s largest effort to date to address the environmental problems plaguing the Salton Sea, which has been steadily retreating and leaving growing stretches of dusty lake bottom exposed to the desert winds.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
The 26-year-old England full-back will depart Anfield after nine years with the first team that brought 352 appearances, 23 goals, 86 assists and eight domestic, European and world trophies.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
After the ceremony ended, Trump quickly departed to play a round of golf.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
But in 1986, after three years of public protests, the Marcoses fled into exile, with a planeload of jewels, cash, and gold bars.—
Evan Osnos,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
-
The suspect who fled the scene of a shooting at McCabe’s bar was arrested on Sunday, according to the DeLand Police Department.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
Four other transfer quarterbacks also exited with years to spare.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
Fischer explained that she's heard a narrative that the show declined in quality about halfway through its run, which lasted from 2005 until 2013, and that the sitcom struggled once series lead Steve Carell exited during season 7.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
This technology allows even those with limited flying experience to handle the bike safely and confidently.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2025
-
This was the first launch since Bezos' fiancé Lauren Sánchez flew with an all-woman crew that included pop star Katy Perry and TV morning show host Gayle King in April.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
The rational criminal, after all, will just move a block over—set up shop where the odds tilt in his favor.—
Malcolm Gladwell,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
-
Last month, the department moved ahead with negotiated rulemaking, a lengthy process that would result in changes to federal regulations.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
Five-year-old Amber bolted in late April, a day after arriving in London from Qatar, where she was rescued from the streets.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
-
Where the trunk narrowed higher in the tree, Flores bolted spikes into the bark to make the final few steps into the structure.—
Liam Dillon,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Left-hander Pierce Coppola got the start and, after a dominant return against Alabama to the tune of 10 strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings, just couldn’t find the zone.—
Jackson Castellano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2025
-
Clients would get the remains of not only their loved one, but also the remains of other bodies.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
2 June 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.
Cite this Entry
“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share