bug out

verb

Definition of bug outnext
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
  1. retreat
  2. depart
  3. flee
  4. exit
  5. fly
  6. move
  7. bolt
  8. get
Verb
  • Once again, Brazil’s midfield is quickly retreating towards their own goal as Morocco pile forward.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Moreover, the shock of higher prices is still fresh in people's minds and may be coloring consumers' purchasing decisions, despite signs that prices should retreat further.
    — Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • Trump will hold a press conference, then depart Ankara for the White House, Kelly said.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Kevin Gausman, an All-Star with San Francisco in 2021, started on Monday, which will be his second appearance at Oracle Park since departing in free agency.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Definition of depart
Verb
  • Clay, along with a passenger, fled on foot, leaving the wrecked car behind, police said.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • The suspect fled on foot, and as of Sunday, had not been apprehended by police yet.
    — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of flee
Verb
  • Twenty-seven people were inside the building, two of whom got stuck before ultimately freeing themselves and exiting the building.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • And star Christian Pulisic exited later after a quiet game, and tournament.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of exit
Verb
  • Adeline André will close out the official calendar in Paris, on Thursday at 4pm, while a number of attendees will fly to Rome for the Fendi show that evening at the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 6 July 2026
  • Norway and Brazil were locked in a tense, back-and-forth game Sunday, in the round of 16, until Haaland came flying in with that header to give Norway a 1-0 lead.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Definition of fly
Verb
  • To keep up with the fast-moving aerial acts, the app features an adjustable countdown timer set to the official schedule.
    — Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026
  • If anyone shows signs of heat illness, promptly move them to a cool, shaded area.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • The ones that keep bolting on disconnected tools will find themselves with more complexity, more vendor relationships to manage and very little to show for it.
    — Dave Wessinger, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Much of the structure is supported by a series of massive poles that extend from the ground to the roofline, with long beams bolted to the posts to carry the weight of decks and living spaces.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 June 2026
Definition of bolt
Verb
  • One thing everyone agrees on, though, is that airfare is likely to keep getting more expensive.
    — Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • And the research proves that this type of bias is only getting worse.
    — Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of get
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.

Browse Nearby Words

bug off
bug out
bugs
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Cite this Entry

“Bug out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bug%20out. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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