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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The unidentified American woman was stuck on Pitcairn, an island with only about 50 inhabitants, no airport and infrequent maritime options to depart.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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Chinese President Xi Jinping greets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as Xi Jinping departs following his state visit to Pyongyang, North Korea, June 10, 2026.—
Anna Coren,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The Dodgers stretched their lead with two runs in the seventh inning and another in the eighth, Ohtani exiting along the way.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
-
Earlier in the game Thursday, Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski exited with a bruised right hamstring.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Weather service meteorologist Frank Pereira said the system that produced the storms, including high winds and hail, was moving eastward Thursday, fueled by cool air from Canada clashing with warm, humid air from the South.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
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If the caffeine has already moved further along, doctors may use a laxative or a gastric lavage a procedure that uses a tube to wash out the contents of the stomach.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Sometimes a little luck can go a long way, and Japan found that out firsthand in its 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in group stage action in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
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But with a growing awareness of the mental health risks posed by children spending too much time online, Starmer has decided to go further after speaking to parents and considering evidence from Australia, which brought in a ban for under-16s last year.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Verb
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There's about to be a lot of focus on soccer for the next month, what with the World Cup getting underway, but MLB is scoring itself some heat by bringing some serious heat.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
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Good old Michelob beer sold in red, white, and blue cans poured from the concessions; helicopters choppered overhead for a flyover and movie stars got face time.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scarper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scarper. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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