Synonyms

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.

Amy Knox, the former chief operating officer of Harm Reduction-SD, was charged with three felony counts of misappropriating public money and three felony counts of embezzlement.

From Los Angeles Times

Wexner said that he later discovered Epstein "had misappropriated vast sums of money from me and my family", a statement he repeated in his opening remarks.

From BBC

County Federation of Labor executive who pleaded guilty to misappropriating funds in 2006.

From Los Angeles Times

In October, federal prosecutors brought their first cases, charging two real estate executives with misappropriating millions.

From Los Angeles Times

But they also must not be misappropriated by those seeking to subvert legitimate law enforcement.

From The Wall Street Journal

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