as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
the burglar was trying to abscond with the jewels when he tumbled down the stairs
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Recent Examples of abscond
In early-1970s Framingham, Massachusetts, taciturn family man James (Josh O’Connor) makes the rash, largely inscrutable decision to orchestrate a heist at the local art museum, absconding with a selection of modern paintings—without much of a plan.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
The Hallfords then absconded to Oklahoma but were arrested in November 2023.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
The older brother, Obed, had a beautiful daughter and a beautiful, young ex-wife, both of whom had left him, absconding to the West Coast.
—Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Becky Lynch hit the ring, but Lyra absconded her kendo stick.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for abscond
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
The Hallfords then absconded to Oklahoma but were arrested in November 2023.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
The older brother, Obed, had a beautiful daughter and a beautiful, young ex-wife, both of whom had left him, absconding to the West Coast.
—Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Becky Lynch hit the ring, but Lyra absconded her kendo stick.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for abscond
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abscond
Verb
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Most want to see better protections and less exploitation of fighters so that they are exposed to the least amount of danger in a sport that cannot escape it.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Following its defeat by Communist Party forces in the Chinese Civil War, the Chinese Nationalist movement, led by Chiang Kai-shek, fled to the island in 1949 as a government in exile.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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In six months, the site has grown from 600 people fleeing gang attacks in nearby Delmas 30 to 5,000 people from all over the capital, sheltering in packed government offices and makeshift shacks.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While some travelers choose to fly on Thanksgiving Day for lower prices and crowds, most leave at least a day early to avoid the risk of cancellations or delays upending their holiday plans.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Two games in, though, the Packers have passed both tests with flying colors.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abscond.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abscond. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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