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
-
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
-
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
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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
-
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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His Jayhawks went 1-1 at the Big 12 tournament, defeating TCU 78-73 on Thursday before getting clobbered by Houston 69-47 in Friday’s semifinals.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2026
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The team that went undefeated in the regular season, racked up more victories than anyone but Duke and Arizona -- and fewer losses than any team at all -- is anything but your run-of-the-mill basketball behemoth.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Appealing to both foodies and nature buffs, the Food Trails have become a popular way to explore the Burren and take in its ancient topography, while also getting a taste of the people, brands, and flavors that are driving today’s Ireland.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
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Been Gawk then walked three consecutive Dominican batters — Perdomo, Tatis and Ketel Marte — with two outs, the final two of which came with the bases loaded to force in runs, before Dane Dunning ended the frame by getting Soto to line out to right field.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scarper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarper. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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