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 Overall, Price said, the man embezzled $4.3 million. Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024 Members of the national nomenklatura have been convicted of embezzling more than four and a half times as much money per case as members of the provincial nomenklatura and more than three times as much as those of the local nomenklatura. Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2024 The most senior officials listed in the data set were accused, on average, of embezzling $14.1 million, provincial nomenklatura of embezzling $2.8 million, and the local nomenklatura of embezzling $4.3 million. Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2024 Yet the former county treasurer is accused of embezzling nearly $40 million over a decade. Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for embezzle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'embezzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 13 Oct. 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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