Set 147 · Study 1 / 5

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abscond

verb/æbˈskɑnd/

definition

to leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or legal prosecution

example

After embezzling funds from the company, the accountant decided to abscond with the stolen money before anyone could catch him.

synonyms
escapefleeevade
word origin — from Latin 'abscondere', meaning 'to hide away' (from 'ab-' meaning 'away' and 'condere' meaning 'to put away or hide').

GRE Vocabulary — Set 147

Set 147 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: abscond, aggrandize, acquiesce, adulate, adumbrate. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. abscond · verb/æbˈskɑnd/

    to leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or legal prosecution

    After embezzling funds from the company, the accountant decided to abscond with the stolen money before anyone could catch him.

    Synonyms: escape, flee, evade

    Origin: from Latin 'abscondere', meaning 'to hide away' (from 'ab-' meaning 'away' and 'condere' meaning 'to put away or hide').

  2. aggrandize · verb/əˈɡrændɪz/

    to increase in power, status, or wealth

    The politician sought to aggrandize his influence within the party by making strategic alliances.

    Synonyms: magnify, enlarge, exaggerate

    Origin: From the Latin 'aggrandire', meaning 'to make greater' (ad- 'to' + grandis 'great').

  3. acquiesce · verb/ˈækwɪˌɛs/

    to accept something reluctantly but without protest

    Despite her initial reservations, she decided to acquiesce to the demands of her colleagues during the meeting.

    Synonyms: agree, consent, comply

    Origin: from Latin 'acquiescere', meaning 'to rest, to be quiet', from 'ad-' meaning 'to' + 'quiescere' meaning 'to rest'.

  4. adulate · verb/ˈædʒ.ə.leɪt/

    to show excessive admiration or praise

    Many fans adulate their favorite celebrities, often going to great lengths to show their devotion.

    Synonyms: flatter, idolize, praise

    Origin: from Latin 'adulatus', past participle of 'adulare', which means to 'flatter' or 'to fawn upon'

  5. adumbrate · verb/ˈæd.əm.breɪt/

    to foreshadow or outline in a vague way

    The author adumbrated the central conflict in the opening chapter, hinting at the struggles to come without revealing all the details.

    Synonyms: outline, foreshadow, suggest

    Origin: from Latin 'adumbratus', the past participle of 'adumbrare', meaning 'to cast a shadow' or 'to represent partially'