misappropriation
The action of taking something dishonestly for one's own use, especially money or property entrusted to one.
A stronger term than 'taking,' implying a breach of trust or legal right, often with intent to defraud or unfairly benefit. It's about wrongly making something one's own.
Word relationships
- embezzlement: Specific type of misappropriation involving funds entrusted to one's care.
- pilferage: Petty theft, often of small items.
- usurpation: Taking someone's power or position illegally or by force.
- restitution: The restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner.
- return: To give back something that was taken.
Commonly confused with
- theft: Theft is a general term for taking property without permission; misappropriation implies a breach of trust or specific property rights, often in a more formal or legal context.
Word family
- misappropriate (verb): to dishonestly or unfairly take (something, especially money or property entrusted to one) for one's own use
Collocations
- misappropriation of funds
- misappropriation of assets
- misappropriation of trade secrets
Example sentences
- "The treasurer was charged with misappropriation of funds after diverting company money for personal expenses." Legal case involving funds.
- "Industrial espionage often involves the misappropriation of trade secrets, giving competitors an unfair advantage." Trade secret theft.
Memory hook
`Misappropriation` is a `mis`-take where you `appropriate` (take) something wrongly. Wrongly take.
When not to use
For simple theft where no trust or specific property right is implied (e.g., shoplifting is theft, not misappropriation). It's typically used in legal or business contexts.
Related words
Explore more words
appropriate, embezzlement, appropriation, usurp, theft, misconduct
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