as in escaping
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 absconding
Their legendary match at 'Money in the Bank' in 2011, which saw Punk defeat Cena for the WWE Championship before absconding with the title, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Premium Live Event endings ever.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Authorities booked Smith in the Greene County jail on a warrant for absconding parole while the homicide investigation continues, the release states.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2025
Warrants in Texas have been issued for the absconding Democrats arrest.
—Jim Talamonti, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2025
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 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
In this unregulated space, however, horror stories abound of coaches and team owners breaking promises and absconding with players’ money, including in Etienne’s league.
—Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
The key moment in the film is a montage of the lovers absconding to Chris’s Malibu getaway for a trip that’s ridiculously, car-commercial lush.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024
Noblewoman Jeanne de La Motte then, so the story goes, posed as the queen and convinced an out-of-favor cardinal to give her the lavish necklace as a gift before absconding with the lucrative diamonds.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Authorities booked Smith in the Greene County jail on a warrant for absconding parole while the homicide investigation continues, the release states.
—Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2025
Warrants in Texas have been issued for the absconding Democrats arrest.
—Jim Talamonti, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2025
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 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
In this unregulated space, however, horror stories abound of coaches and team owners breaking promises and absconding with players’ money, including in Etienne’s league.
—Chris Quintana, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
The key moment in the film is a montage of the lovers absconding to Chris’s Malibu getaway for a trip that’s ridiculously, car-commercial lush.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024
Noblewoman Jeanne de La Motte then, so the story goes, posed as the queen and convinced an out-of-favor cardinal to give her the lavish necklace as a gift before absconding with the lucrative diamonds.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absconding
Verb
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Some of his best friends and teammates have won Super Bowls the last two years after escaping the Giants.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
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But such dreamy weather tends to draw visitors escaping snow and ice back home, so expect beaches to be busier and prices to be higher during this season.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the driver walks toward the vehicle behind the rig, a van, a person can be seen fleeing the scene on foot.—
Terry Castleman,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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Schwartz, the retired journalist, spends six months a year in Puerto Vallarta, fleeing the ice and snow of his hometown in Michigan.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The violence captured on cellphone videos and shared around the globe – buses burning, gas stations attacked, military helicopters flying overhead – wasn’t just happening in remote rural towns long plagued by drug violence.—
Mary Beth Sheridan,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
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Shorts and T-shirts Buyers are already looking ahead to the warmer months, which is why even summer staples like shorts and t-shirts are currently flying off shelves.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absconding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absconding. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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