misappropriation

American  

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

noun

1. wrongful use, especially the dishonest or inappropriate use of others’ money, data, etc..

   He pled guilty to multiple counts of misappropriation of public funds and falsifying public documents, and received a four-year prison sentence.

   Database owners are concerned about the possible commercial misappropriation of their products.

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Etymology

Origin of misappropriation

mis- ¹ ( def. ) + appropriation ( def. )

Example Sentences

The case is the third high-profile incident in recent years involving misappropriation of the company’s trade secrets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

Bottom line: If your mother authorized the sale of her home and it was understood that the proceeds belonged to her, your sister could be found guilty of misappropriation.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 11, 2026

A court in the nearby town of Briviesca said it had "ordered the provisional release of the two former nuns" detained on Thursday, who are under investigation "for misappropriation of cultural heritage assets".

From Barron's • Nov. 28, 2025

A copy of a warrant reviewed by The Times shows that investigators are looking into allegations of bribery, misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering and conspiracy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2025

There was even a former Conservative functionary who had taken refuge in the revolt to escape a judgment for misappropriation of funds.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Related Words

• desecration
• exploitation
• misconduct
• misdeed
• mishandling
• misuse
• prostitution
• wrongdoing