misappropriate

American

[mis-uh-proh-pree-eyt] / ˌmɪs əˈproʊ priˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

misappropriated, misappropriating

to put to a wrong use.
to apply wrongfully or dishonestly, as funds entrusted to one's care.

misappropriate British

/ ˌmɪsəˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt /

verb

(tr) to appropriate for a wrong or dishonest use; embezzle or steal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

misappropriation noun

Etymology

Origin of misappropriate

First recorded in 1855–60; mis- ¹ + appropriate

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.

Dream Exchange has previously denied that it misappropriated investor funds.

From The Wall Street Journal

As much as $100 million was misappropriated in the scheme, according to NABU, which made its investigation public earlier this week.

From The Wall Street Journal

Alarm bells should be ringing: The office is once again being misappropriated to bless extralegal conduct, not to block it.

From Salon

Department of Justice on Thursday charged two real estate executives with defrauding California’s Homekey program, allegedly misappropriating millions meant for homeless housing.

From Los Angeles Times

"He took up arms against the United States, misappropriated funds, and was ultimately captured and imprisoned by his own troops."

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023