absconded with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absconded with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who has secretly taken something, often with the intention of keeping it or avoiding detection. Example: "The thief absconded with a valuable painting from the gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They could have simply absconded with it.

The New York Times

Instead, he absconded with their money.

The New York Times

Ewing absconded with the victim's money and credit cards.

The New York Times

Maybe the card wasn't included, or maybe someone absconded with the candy?

The New York Times

In the autumn of 1997, a co-worker absconded with company funds.

The New York Times

On the return journey he deserted his followers and absconded with most of the booty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Louise protested that this was the man who had absconded with her daughter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He absconded with Ms. Jamerson's children but was captured after a 43-hour manhunt.

The New York Times

When I returned, I discovered he had absconded with a few hundred thousand dollars.

The New York Times

The team manager absconded with the expense money and the return airline tickets.

The New York Times - Sports

He looks like Alvin Stardust has absconded with Denis Healy's eyebrows and a tube of Bostik.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absconded with" to specifically denote a clandestine departure with something, particularly when emphasizing the deceitful or unlawful nature of the act.

Common error

Avoid using "absconded with" in overly casual or informal contexts. Simpler alternatives like "stole" or "took" may be more appropriate for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absconded with" functions as a verb phrase acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes an action where someone secretly leaves, taking something, often of value, with them. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct, and examples show it used to describe scenarios ranging from financial theft to kidnapping.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

11%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absconded with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of secretly departing while taking something, typically with the intention of keeping it or avoiding detection. Ludwig AI confirms this. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. It's important to use this phrase when the secretive departure and the taking of something are both relevant to the situation. If you are looking for alternatives, "fled with", "made off with", and "ran off with" are good substitutes depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made off with

A more informal phrase emphasizing the act of stealing and escaping.

fled with

Focuses on the act of running away, similar to absconding, but can lack the implication of taking something.

ran off with

Similar to "fled with" but suggests a less planned escape, often implying elopement or a quick departure.

escaped with

Highlights the act of breaking free or avoiding capture while taking something along.

took off with

Suggests a sudden and quick departure, placing emphasis on the rapidity of the action.

vanished with

Emphasizes the disappearance and mystery surrounding the departure, and that something disappeared too.

cleared out with

Focuses on the action of removing everything and leaving, suggesting a total emptying or departure.

departed with

A more neutral and formal way of saying someone left with something, without necessarily implying wrongdoing.

secretly left with

Stresses the covert nature of the act of departing, focusing on concealment and discretion.

took away secretly

Highlights the discreet nature of the action, indicating a deliberate attempt to avoid detection.

FAQs

How to use "absconded with" in a sentence?

Use "absconded with" to describe someone who has secretly left, typically with something valuable or important. For example: "The accountant absconded with the company funds."

What can I say instead of "absconded with"?

You can use alternatives like "fled with", "made off with", or "ran off with" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "absconded with" or "stole"?

"Absconded with" implies a secretive departure, whereas "stole" simply indicates the act of theft. Use "absconded with" when both the theft and the escape are relevant to the situation.

What is the difference between "absconded with" and "escaped with"?

"Absconded with" suggests a breach of trust in addition to the act of taking something, while "escaped with" primarily emphasizes evading capture while taking something along.