misappropriate
C1-C2Formal, Legal, Business, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
To dishonestly or unfairly take something, especially money, that belongs to someone else, for one's own use.
To use something for a purpose other than the one for which it was intended or entrusted, implying a breach of trust.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies misuse of funds, property, or resources that one has been entrusted with. It is stronger than 'misuse' and suggests dishonesty and illegality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The legal and accounting term 'defalcation' is a less common US synonym.
Connotations
Associated with financial crime, fraud, and corruption in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency. Slightly more common in legal and business contexts in the US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
misappropriate somethingmisappropriate something from someone/somethingbe misappropriatedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cooking the books (related)”
- “to have one's hand in the till (related)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The CFO was fired for misappropriating corporate funds.
Academic
The paper examined the misappropriation of cultural heritage in post-colonial contexts.
Everyday
I wouldn't trust him—he's misappropriated club money before.
Technical
The prosecutor charged the trustee with misappropriation of estate assets.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The treasurer misappropriated over £50,000 in union dues.
- It's alleged he misappropriated the inheritance from his clients.
American English
- The contractor misappropriated funds meant for the school renovation.
- She was convicted for misappropriating government grants.
adverb
British English
- The funds were used misappropriately and without authorisation.
American English
- He acted misappropriately in his role as a fiduciary.
adjective
British English
- The misappropriated funds were never recovered.
- A report on misappropriated assets was filed.
American English
- The lawsuit seeks the return of the misappropriated money.
- They tracked the misappropriated data across servers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He lost his job for misappropriating office supplies.
- The charity's director was accused of misappropriating donations meant for disaster relief.
- Auditors discovered that several thousand pounds had been misappropriated.
- The complex scheme involved misappropriating intellectual property and laundering the proceeds through offshore accounts.
- The legal doctrine addresses the misappropriation of trade secrets.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MIS + APPROPRIATE. Think: It's like taking something for yourself (appropriating) but in a wrong or dishonest (mis-) way.
Conceptual Metaphor
STEALING IS DIVERTING A FLOW (e.g., 'siphon off funds').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with присваивать (to appropriate, which can be neutral). Misappropriate is always negative and implies illegality, closer to присваивать незаконно / расхищать.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'misuse' (which is broader and less legally charged).
- Using it for theft of personal property not held in trust.
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario is the word 'misappropriate' used most accurately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Embezzle' is a specific legal term for misappropriating funds entrusted to one's care, typically by an employee or official. 'Misappropriate' is broader and can refer to property, ideas, or data, not just money.
Yes, though less common. It can be used for ideas (e.g., 'misappropriating cultural symbols'), data, or resources.
Yes, it is most at home in formal, legal, business, or journalistic contexts. In casual speech, people might say 'steal' or 'rip off'.
Yes, 'misappropriation' is the common noun (e.g., 'the misappropriation of funds').