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misappropriate

[ mis-uh-proh-pree-eyt ]
/ ˌmɪs əˈproʊ priˌeɪt /
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

embezzle, misuse, plunder, misspend, swindle, rob, pocket, appropriate, abuse, misapply, peculate, defalcate

Nearby words

  1. misapplication,
  2. misapplied,
  3. misapply,
  4. misapprehend,
  5. misapprehension,
  6. misappropriation,
  7. misarrange,
  8. misattribution,
  9. misbecome,
  10. misbefall

Origin of misappropriate

First recorded in 1855–60; mis-1 + appropriate
Related formsmis·ap·pro·pri·a·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for misappropriate

British Dictionary definitions for misappropriate

misappropriate

/ (ˌmɪsəˈprəʊprɪˌeɪt) /

verb

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

Word Origin and History for misappropriate

misappropriate

v.

1803, from mis- (1) + appropriate (v.). Related: Misappropriated; misappropriating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper