abscondee
Americannoun
Usage
What does abscondee mean? An abscondee is a person who absconds—leaves secretly and suddenly, especially to avoid being caught, punished, or put on trial. The word abconder means the same thing. The word typically implies that the person has left because they have done something wrong and want to avoid any consequences. Abscondees are often criminals who abscond to get away with their crimes. A more informal term for abscond is make one’s getaway. In a legal context, abscondee can be used to refer to a person who has left to avoid prosecution or legal proceedings that have already begun, or to someone who has violated their parole. Abscondee is sometimes used to liken someone to a criminal, perhaps in a humorous way, as in The furry little abscondee just ran off with my cheeseburger. Example: The abscondees left with the loot before the authorities arrived at the scene.
Etymology
Origin of abscondee
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee had said that the aim was to target the individuals so as to "end their destiny of being an abscondee", adding that they would be "pursued for life".
From BBC ● Mar. 4, 2026
“The only way to end their destiny of being an abscondee who will be pursued for life is to surrender,” he said on Tuesday.
From New York Times ● Jul. 4, 2023
“The only way to end their destiny of being an abscondee who will be pursued for life is to surrender,” he said.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 3, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
