Meaning & use

abscond

verb·Advanced

To leave secretly and hurriedly, especially to escape custody or avoid detection.

See it in a sentence

The treasurer absconded with the club's funds before anyone noticed the shortfall.

Two prisoners absconded from the work farm during the night shift.

A note on using this word

Abscond implies a secretive escape, often after wrongdoing, and is common in legal and journalistic writing.

Words with a similar meaning

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