BUGS OUT Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

bugs out

verb

present tense third-person singular of bug out

as in flies

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

as in exits

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

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.

Recent Examples of bugs out The cuffed hemline can also be tightened as needed—a tiny detail that’s extra useful for keeping bugs out of your pant legs during outdoor adventures. — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 11 July 2026 The gazebo also includes transparent panels designed to keep pesky bugs out without obstructing the breeze or your views. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 Sealing cracks, maintaining your yard, and using insect barriers are the most effective ways to keep boxelder bugs out. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bugs out

Verb

That’s a good thing, because the Viceroy flies lower than the masts of larger sailboats and much lower than, say, the upper decks of a cruise ship.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2026
The company flies to private terminals in Aspen, Colorado; Los Cabos, Mexico; Los Angeles (Van Nuys); Maui; Miami; New York (Westchester and NYC); and West Palm Beach, Florida.

— Debra Kamin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of flies

Verb

All entrances and exits to the city remained sealed, with the operation focused in Deir Bahha and another part of the city called Al-Jalda, according to Hebron Mayor Yousef Zuhair Al-Jabari.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
In video released by police, an officer exits his vehicle and points his gun at Ryan Hinton, who appears to be running away.

— Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of exits

Verb

But even as the characters reflect at length on the virtue of putting themselves out there, their series too often retreats within itself instead.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Olivia Studio60, Womack Studios, Disney+ A celebrity TV weatherman retreats with his daughter to his estranged father’s olive groves, reopening old wounds.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreats

Verb

Guests who don’t fancy a hike can take the cable car, which departs from the hotel and goes straight to the Alpe di Siusi viewpoint.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Patterson departs after missing two of his nine field goal attempts and one of his nine extra point attempts this season.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of departs

Verb

For example, if a bank robbery suspect flees in a vehicle and witnesses provide only a description, investigators can search the database for vehicles matching that description.

— Gino Vicci, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
The agent then flees into the titular pawn shop as a mob of protesters pursue him.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of flees

Verb

As part of its process, the powered gimbal moves the image around in the general direction the projector's already facing, stopping the movement several times in the process before continuing, and adjusting the image size several times as well.

— M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Flight testing moves forward L3Harris has reached the second phase of the Army’s Xtended Range Counter-sUAS Missile program.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of moves

Verb

Then, the unit bolts to the van, becoming a secure load that happens to contain a full living suite.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
When a company bolts AI on without building it into the way the company works, the company can end up paying a great deal of money for a capability its competitors already share.

— Mohamed Khater, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of bolts

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bugs off

bugs out

build

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Style

“Bugs out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bugs%20out. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bugs out

verb

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