Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for embezzlement. Search instead for embezzlements.
Synonyms

embezzlement

Cultural  
  1. The stealing of money entrusted to one's care: “The treasurer of the company embezzled a million dollars.”


Explanation

If you are glee club treasurer, and you pocket twenty glee dollars saying you used it to buy lozenges, you are committing embezzlement, the theft of money or property that you officially manage. In order for stealing to be embezzlement, you need to both be in charge of the funds or property you are stealing, and you need to conceal your theft. Because of this, it is classified as a type of fraud. People who commit embezzlement often create fake paper trails — receipts, canceled checks, false signatures — to hide their crime.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing embezzlement

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.

See Examples For:

She was convicted last year of embezzlement but reduced her sentence on appeal by enough to run again.

From Slate ● Oct. 24, 2026

On Monday the Wall Street Journal reported that only days after being indicted for embezzlement, a fugitive donated $25,000 to the attorney general.

From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2026

Gox, he was acquitted of embezzlement by a Japanese court but found guilty of falsifying data.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

He faces three felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement and one felony count of insufficient checking funds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

If Mom is guilty of embezzlement, what does that mean for the rest of us?

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com