abscond
flee secretly / escape / bolt
Intransitive VerbTransitive Verb
past: abscondedpp: abscondeding: absconding
This term carries a strong legal and criminal connotation, implying a deliberate attempt to evade justice or responsibility. It is far more formal than "run away" or "escape," typically appearing in police reports, legal documents, or journalistic accounts of white-collar crime. When used transitively with the preposition "with," the word specifically highlights the theft of assets or funds. The act of absconding is characterized by stealth and the intent to remain hidden, rather than a simple act of fleeing.