-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
misappropriate
verb
mis·ap·pro·pri·ate
ˌmi-sə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt
misappropriated; misappropriating; misappropriates
: to appropriate wrongly (as by theft or embezzlement)
Synonyms
Examples of misappropriate in a Sentence
They accused him of misappropriating town funds.
a financial manager misappropriating funds from her clients' accounts
Recent Examples on the Web
Meagan Emily McFadden faces felony charges of misappropriating public money, embezzlement, along with an enhancement alleging aggravating circumstances.
—
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 22 Jan. 2025
The individuals are accused of misappropriating crypto assets from investors worth more than $200 million for their personal use, including purchasing luxury homes and cars, the SEC said.
—
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
But the other half were misappropriated in ways that diverged from his promise to investors.
—
Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 17 Dec. 2024
Behind the scenes, DeFelice had misappropriated tens of thousands of dollars, according to a state audit report released last fall.
—
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for misappropriate ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2025-02-13--18-07-00-xk8pp/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar.svg)
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1825, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near misappropriate
Cite this Entry
“Misappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misappropriate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
misappropriate
verb
mis·ap·pro·pri·ate
ˌmis-ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt
: to appropriate wrongly
especially
: to take dishonestly for one's own use
Legal Definition
misappropriate
transitive verb
mis·ap·pro·pri·ate
ˌmi-sə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt
: to appropriate wrongfully or unlawfully (as by theft or embezzlement)
More from Merriam-Webster on misappropriate
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share