To abscond means to leave quickly and secretly, usually to avoid getting caught or facing consequences. A thief who absconds with the jewels doesn't just leave the scene; they vanish, slipping away before anyone realizes what happened.

The word carries a strong sense of sneakiness and urgency. You wouldn't say someone absconded to the grocery store. Abscond implies that the person has a reason to hide: maybe they've done something wrong, or they owe someone money, or they're escaping a situation they don't want to face. In stories, a villain might abscond with stolen treasure, or a mischievous character might abscond with the last slice of pizza before anyone notices it’s gone.