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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.

Etymology

Origin of misappropriation

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

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.

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

District Court in Los Angeles alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and other complaints. iSpot later amended the suit to add New York-based EDO and the breach-of-contract complaint.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 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

The Ingram-Moores said there had been no misappropriation of funds from the charity and that they had been treated “unfairly and unjustly” by the inquiry.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2024

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

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.