embezzle

verb

em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbe-zəl How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
em-
embezzled; embezzling im-ˈbe-zə-liŋ How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
-ˈbez-liŋ,
em-

transitive verb

: to appropriate (something, such as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
embezzled thousands of dollars
embezzlement noun
embezzler
im-ˈbe-zə-lər How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
em-
-ˈbez-lər
noun

Did you know?

English is full of verbs that mean “to steal” (such as pilfer, rob, swipe, plunder, filch, and thieve). But when it comes to stealing property (and in this context, money is a kind of property) that has been entrusted to you, embezzle wins the prize. The word most often refers to theft of company or government funds that one has charge of, and embezzlement is therefore a hallmark of white-collar crime—that is, crime committed by so-called “white-collar” workers. In the 15th century, around the time that embezzlement entered English (the ultimate root is Anglo-French besiller “to steal, plunder”), it would have also been possible to say that such plunderers “bezzled” company cash, but bezzle is now considered obsolete.

Examples of embezzle in a Sentence

He was caught embezzling money from his clients. He was convicted of embezzling.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Tweed and his ring had embezzled millions of dollars from the city budget, lived large, and came down hard after enemies leaked evidence of their wrongdoing to the Times. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024 Federal prosecutors accused him of embezzling to support a lavish lifestyle, with spending on air travel, hotels, limos, clothes, jewelry and more, the Free Press previously reported. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 26 Sep. 2024 The big picture: The Times-Dispatch broke down the findings of a yearlong investigation into the Office of EMS, which collects money from vehicle registration fees and whose former associate director pleaded guilty to embezzling over $4 million in state funds this summer. Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 20 Sep. 2024 Corruption itself was heavily concentrated in the upper echelons, with the top ten percent of cases responsible for 58 percent of the total sum embezzled. Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for embezzle 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English embesilen, from Anglo-French embesiller to make away with, from en- + besiller to steal, plunder

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of embezzle was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near embezzle

Cite this Entry

“Embezzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embezzle. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

embezzle

verb
em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbez-əl How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
embezzled; embezzling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
: to take (property entrusted to one's care) dishonestly for one's own use
embezzled thousands of dollars
embezzlement noun
embezzler noun

Legal Definition

embezzle

transitive verb
em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbe-zəl How to pronounce embezzle (audio)
embezzled; embezzling
: to convert (property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use compare defalcate
embezzlement noun
embezzler noun
Etymology

Anglo-French embeseiller to make away with, from en-, prefix stressing completion + beseller to snatch, misappropriate, from Old French, to destroy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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