as in to depart
to leave a place often for another
I went looking for Sally at the pub, but she'd scarpered
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Recent Examples of scarper
Taylor Tomlinson will host After Midnight, the show that is replacing The Late Late Show now that James Corden has scarpered off to old Blighty.
—
Vulture, 1 Nov. 2023
Idrissa Gueye has scarpered, but that void was instantly filled by Mainz midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin - while Moise Kean, goodness knows how, has signed from Juventus to sharpen things up front.
—SI.com, 5 Aug. 2019
Ms Collett compares it to the muggy period before a thunderstorm, when the squirrels have scarpered and the air is pregnant with foreboding of trouble ahead.
—The Economist, 21 June 2018
Vulture, 1 Nov. 2023
Idrissa Gueye has scarpered, but that void was instantly filled by Mainz midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin - while Moise Kean, goodness knows how, has signed from Juventus to sharpen things up front.
—SI.com, 5 Aug. 2019
Ms Collett compares it to the muggy period before a thunderstorm, when the squirrels have scarpered and the air is pregnant with foreboding of trouble ahead.
—The Economist, 21 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scarper
Verb
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Fresh bouquets left on top of old ones While the television cameras and the law enforcement officers have departed from the scene of the crime, reminders of Guthrie remain.—
Celina Tebor,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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By the time Galliano departed in 2024, Margiela sales had risen 24 percent over his ten-year tenure.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Shannon, executive director of programs and initiatives with Life After Hate, a national nonprofit focused on helping people exit violent- and hate-fueled ideologies, said research shows people often join violent extremist groups for the same reasons others join gangs.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
19 Mar. 2026
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According to police, Bigelow allegedly appeared incoherent and refused officers’ commands to exit the vehicle.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the calendar moves toward spring, the old feeling of hope and exuberance spreads across the country, and it's mostly felt by college basketball fans.—
Josh Taylor,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Coleman can play all the positions, so expect Steve Sarkisian to move him around to create advantageous matchups.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Having faced Big Ten physicality all season, first-year Iowa coach Ben McCollum’s team went toe to toe with Florida’s punishing front court.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
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Part of the money will also go toward expansion of Philander Smith's health education facilities, including space for soon-to-be radiologists and phlebotomists.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Store it all in the ski locker room, and getting slopeside is a breeze.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Heritage took the 2-1 lead in the second half when Atkins got the score off an Emersen Andries assist and the Panthers’ defense held on late to advance.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scarper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarper. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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