embezzle

[em-bez-uhl]

verb (used with object)

embezzled, embezzling 

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

   Synonyms: misappropriate

embezzle

/ ɪmˈbɛzəl /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• embezzlement noun
• embezzler noun
• nonembezzlement noun
• unembezzled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of embezzle¹

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 < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of embezzle¹

C15: from Anglo-French embeseiller to destroy, from Old French beseiller to make away with, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Anti-graft investigators said around $100 million had been embezzled from the energy sector, causing outrage in a country where Russian attacks have resulted in devastating power outages.

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According to NABU, Mindich "controlled" the laundering of embezzled money and its distribution.

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After taking power in a coup in 1965, the former general changed the country's name to Zaire, installed a single-party system, muzzled the opposition and embezzled taxpayers' money with abandon to fund an extravagant lifestyle.

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The wife of Ali Bongo, whose family ruled the central African country with an iron fist for 55 years, had been accused of manipulating her husband to embezzle taxpayers' money.

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In reality, she embezzled the funds, police say.

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Related Words

• appropriate 
• filch 
• loot 
• misappropriate 
• misuse 
• pilfer 
• purloin 
• skim