# abscond

/æbˈskɑnd/ (US) · /ɐbskˈɒnd/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abscond
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

to run away with something valuable, like money or property, and hide it. It is a formal word often used in legal stories.

For teachers: to run away with property or money and conceal it. Often used in legal contexts to describe the theft of assets or the flight of a person with stolen goods.

## Examples

- The thief tried to abscond with the stolen jewels.
- The bank manager was arrested for attempting to abscond with several million dollars in cash.
- The legal team argued that the defendant had no intention to abscond with the assets, merely seeking to protect them from an impending bankruptcy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.