abscond
5 synonyms for abscond, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To leave secretly and hurriedly, usually to escape custody or having taken something that is not yours.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use abscond
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
abscond with
absconded from custody
Formal and often legal.
Etymology
From Latin "abscondere," to hide away, from "abs-" (away) plus "condere" (to stow).
Full origin of abscond →Frequently asked questions
What does abscond mean?
To slip away suddenly and secretly — typically to avoid arrest, escape custody, or make off with money or property.
What is the difference between abscond and escape?
Escaping is simply getting out. Absconding carries the added sense of doing it secretly and wrongfully, often while under an obligation to stay — bail, custody or a duty of care.
