misappropriate

verb

mis·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌmi-sə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt How to pronounce misappropriate (audio)
misappropriated; misappropriating; misappropriates

transitive verb

: to appropriate wrongly (as by theft or embezzlement)
misappropriation noun

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
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.
The pair accuse Ground Game of misappropriating their work to boost its fundraising and stature. Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025 Benoit Tessier | Reuters The leader of France’s far-right National Assembly Marine Le Pen has been barred from running for public office for five years after being found guilty of misappropriating EU funds, according to Reuters and French media. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025 The problem was, that the management of the bank was dominated by white bankers who engaged in widespread corruption, managing funds poorly and misappropriating money. Sonari Glinton, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 James earned a law degree at Northeastern University but was temporarily suspended in 2008 from practicing law after she was accused of misappropriating client funds, according to a letter on file with the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers. Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misappropriate

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misappropriate was in 1825

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misappropriate. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

misappropriate

verb
mis·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌmis-ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt How to pronounce misappropriate (audio)
: to appropriate wrongly
especially : to take dishonestly for one's own use
misappropriation noun

Legal Definition

misappropriate

transitive verb
mis·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌmi-sə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt How to pronounce misappropriate (audio)
: to appropriate wrongfully or unlawfully (as by theft or embezzlement)
misappropriation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on misappropriate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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