misappropriate

[ mis-uh-proh-pree-eyt ]

/ ˌmɪs əˈproʊ priˌeɪt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for misappropriate on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), mis·ap·pro·pri·at·ed, mis·ap·pro·pri·at·ing.

to put to a wrong use.

to apply wrongfully or dishonestly, as funds entrusted to one's care.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of misappropriate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM misappropriate

mis·ap·pro·pri·a·tion

[mis-uh-proh-pree-ey-shuhn] /ˌmɪs əˌproʊ priˈeɪ ʃən/ noun

Words nearby misappropriate

misanthropy, misapplied, misapply, misapprehend, misapprehension, misappropriate, misappropriation, misarrange, misbecome, misbegotten, misbehave

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use misappropriate in a sentence

The charges “stem from a SLED investigation into misappropriated settlement funds in the death of Gloria Satterfield” the statement read.
What to Know About the Multiple Criminal Investigations into Alex Murdaugh|Josiah Bates|October 20, 2021|Time
As Haitian nationals saw poverty, violence and corruption increase, billions in stolen or misappropriated aid funds fueled a legendary industry of disaster capitalism.
Haiti Isn’t Cursed. It is Exploited.|Malaika Jabali|September 22, 2021|Essence.com
The company argued that the new systems cannot be misappropriated easily by government action—and emphasized repeatedly that opting out was as easy as turning off iCloud backup.
Apple defends its new anti-child-abuse tech against privacy concerns|Patrick Howell O'Neill|August 6, 2021|MIT Technology Review
“No, I did not,” answered Johnson, one of five clients from whom Avenatti allegedly misappropriated funds.
Avenatti Grills Paraplegic Client He Allegedly Stole From: ‘Did You Appreciate Me?’|Kate Briquelet, Meghann Cuniff|July 22, 2021|The Daily Beast

The investigation also found no one misappropriated any funds “for personal gain,” according to the excerpt.
Emails Back Up Misspending Allegation at Lincoln High|Will Huntsberry|March 10, 2021|Voice of San Diego
Those who collect taxes without being duly authorized by Government, or misappropriate public funds.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
A dihydroxyl derivative of one of the latter is in use under the somewhat misappropriate name of “alizarin black.”
Coal|Raphael Meldola
How is it to be known whether the parents misappropriate the fund of a child, or favour one more than another?
Comrades|Thomas Dixon
I asked her if it would not be very easy for him to misappropriate a scudo now and then.
The Story of My Life, volumes 4-6|Augustus J. C. Hare
Am I willing to be a thief and misappropriate their physical, mental and moral heritage?
Facts And Fictions Of Life|Helen H. Gardener

British Dictionary definitions for misappropriate

misappropriate

/ (ˌmɪsəˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt) /

verb

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

Derived forms of misappropriate

misappropriation, noun

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

misappropriate

Origin of misappropriate

OTHER WORDS FROM misappropriate

Words nearby misappropriate

Words related to misappropriate

How to use misappropriate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for misappropriate

Derived forms of misappropriate