misappropriate
verb
mis·ap·pro·pri·ate
ˌmi-sə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt 
misappropriated; misappropriating; misappropriates
: to appropriate wrongly (as by theft or embezzlement)
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
The Bar’s audit accused Hernandez of misappropriating anywhere from $169,000 to $381,000, and the Bar successfully requested Hernandez receive an emergency suspension.
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
She is also accused of misappropriated the victim’s money at least 45 times from June 2021 through November 2022, Gerace added.
—Fox19 Staff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2025
The case involved college football players arguing their right of publicity had been misappropriated on account of appearing on TV broadcasts without being paid.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The State alleged the cash was misappropriated Sumner County Food Bank funds.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misappropriate
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David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
She is also accused of misappropriated the victim’s money at least 45 times from June 2021 through November 2022, Gerace added.
—Fox19 Staff, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2025
The case involved college football players arguing their right of publicity had been misappropriated on account of appearing on TV broadcasts without being paid.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Aug. 2025
The State alleged the cash was misappropriated Sumner County Food Bank funds.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misappropriate
Cite this Entry
“Misappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misappropriate. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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)
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