as in stealing
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
a financial manager misappropriating funds from her clients' accounts
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Recent Examples of misappropriating
Prosecutors say Delgado lived the high life on other people’s money, misappropriating investors’ funds to buy million-dollar homes, luxury cars and fancy watches, among other items.
—
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
He is also accused of deceiving escrow agents to secure the release of pre-construction condominium deposits and then misappropriating those funds for personal expenses unrelated to the developments.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Knox was charged with three felony counts of embezzlement and three felony counts of misappropriating public money, officials said.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
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.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Judge Paul Richardson sentenced Meagan Emily McFadden to 180 days in the Yolo County Jail for a felony conviction of misappropriating public money.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Over a decades-long period, Jacobus managed legitimate investment portfolios while misappropriating the money for his own use and to pay back earlier investors as if the payments were their returns, according to prosecutors.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
In his closing, Scott admitted to writing and mailing the letters, but argued that authorities cannot prove Morales Reyes' identity, and therefore he should not be found guilty of misappropriating his identity.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But although the robbery is a roaring success, the Tailor makes a fateful visit to Vittorio, who has been gradually slipping into corruption by misappropriating church funds.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
He is also accused of deceiving escrow agents to secure the release of pre-construction condominium deposits and then misappropriating those funds for personal expenses unrelated to the developments.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Knox was charged with three felony counts of embezzlement and three felony counts of misappropriating public money, officials said.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
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.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Judge Paul Richardson sentenced Meagan Emily McFadden to 180 days in the Yolo County Jail for a felony conviction of misappropriating public money.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Over a decades-long period, Jacobus managed legitimate investment portfolios while misappropriating the money for his own use and to pay back earlier investors as if the payments were their returns, according to prosecutors.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
In his closing, Scott admitted to writing and mailing the letters, but argued that authorities cannot prove Morales Reyes' identity, and therefore he should not be found guilty of misappropriating his identity.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But although the robbery is a roaring success, the Tailor makes a fateful visit to Vittorio, who has been gradually slipping into corruption by misappropriating church funds.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misappropriating
stealing
Verb
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In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people.—
Amanda Rosa
March 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misappropriating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misappropriating. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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