Synonyms

embezzle

American

[em-bez-uhl] / ɛmˈbɛz əl /

verb (used with object)

embezzled, embezzling

to appropriate fraudulently to one's own use, as money or property entrusted to one's care.

Synonyms:

misappropriate

embezzle British

/ ɪmˈbɛzəl /

verb

to convert (money or property entrusted to one) fraudulently to one's own use

"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

embezzlement noun
embezzler noun
nonembezzlement noun
unembezzled adjective

Etymology

Origin of embezzle

1375–1425; late Middle English embesilen < Anglo-French embeseiller to destroy, make away with, equivalent to em- em- ¹ + beseiller, Old French beseiller to destroy < ?

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.

Now he stands accused of embezzling money from that party.

From BBC

They accused several people of orchestrating a scheme to embezzle money in Ukraine's energy sector, including at the national nuclear opertor Energoatom.

From BBC

During the appeal trial, she denied that the RN had any system to embezzle European Parliament funds and has said her party acted in "complete good faith".

From Barron's

Le Pen, 57, was found guilty last year of embezzling EU funds and if the ban is upheld she will not be able to stand in the 2027 presidential election.

From BBC

Ziobro is facing 26 charges related to embezzling money from a fund meant to be spent on crime victims and rehabilitating criminals.

From BBC

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