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Abscond
To depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
verb💡
Imagine This
Ab's kitchen has many boxes of ice cream cones. Mysteriously, the cones disappear all the time. Ab says, 'I just don't know where my cones have gone; maybe they have legs? They just depart secretly. It is weird!'
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Sounds Like
ab-SKOND
👀
Looks Like
looks like 'abs' + 'cond' (the word visually splits into two familiar parts).
📝
Remember This
Abscond is commonly used to describe someone fleeing, often to escape legal trouble or pursuit; it's not about simply leaving a place.
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Other Forms
abscondsverb
abscondedverb
abscondingverb
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Connect With
flee, escape, decamp, bolt, evade
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Note
Do not confuse abscond with 'absent' (not present) or 'abstain' (to refrain). Abscond means to leave secretly, typically to avoid being found.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The thief absconded with the jewels before dawn.
- The accountant absconded to avoid facing charges and never returned.
Synonyms
fleeescapeboltdecampevade
Antonyms
stayremainsurrender
Etymology
From Latin abscondere 'to hide away', formed from ab- 'away' + condere 'to put, store'.
Mnemonic
Abscond sounds like 'absent cone'—imagine Ab's cone suddenly disappearing; an absent cone is one that absconds.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
Absorb
verbTo take in or soak up something (such as liquid, information, or attention); to engross or occupy someone.
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