abscond

/əbˈskɒnd/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈskɑːnd/ (ame, ipa) · /ab-ˈskänd əb-/ (ame, mw)

abscond — verb

  • abscondpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • abscondshe / she / it
  • abscondedpast simple
  • absconding-ing form

1. to leave a place in secret so that people cannot stop or find you

1.動詞不及物C2
釋義

to leave a place in secret so that people cannot stop or find you

例句

Two inmates absconded from the farm prison before the evening count.

abscond from + place in custody context

Mert absconded from the hostel after hearing the police downstairs.

同義詞
  • escape

    broader and more neutral; it does not always imply secrecy afterward

  • flee

    emphasizes getting away from immediate danger rather than hiding from searchers

  • run away

    informal and common in everyday situations

文法句型

abscond from + place

用法筆記

Often used in legal, medical, or security reports when someone leaves without permission and then hides.

常見錯誤

❌The prisoner absconded the prison at dawn.
✅The prisoner absconded from the prison at dawn.
💡'abscond' is intransitive, so the place left must follow 'from'.

2. to disappear secretly after taking money or property that is not yours

2.動詞不及物C2
釋義

to disappear secretly after taking money or property that is not yours

例句

The cashier absconded with the weekend takings before the shop opened.

abscond with + stolen money

After the fundraiser, Camila absconded with three boxes of cash.

同義詞
  • make off with

    informal; used for stealing something and leaving quickly

  • run off with

    less formal and often used in everyday speech

  • embezzle

    focuses on stealing money from an employer or organization, not on the escape itself

文法句型

abscond with + money/property

用法筆記

Usually followed by 'with' when naming what was taken. This sense is common in news reports about fraud, theft, or missing funds.

常見錯誤

❌The manager absconded the cash.
✅The manager absconded with the cash.
💡use 'abscond with' when you name the money or property taken.