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
But although the robbery is a roaring success, the Tailor makes a fateful visit to Vittorio, who has been gradually slipping into corruption by misappropriating church funds.
—
Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Medicaid money misappropriated The DeSantis administration directed the $10 million to be set aside for a charity, the Hope Florida Foundation, which then gave it to two nonprofits.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
In October, federal prosecutors brought their first cases, charging two real estate executives with misappropriating millions.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Nathan Trauernicht faces a felony charge of misappropriating public funds while serving as the UC Davis fire chief.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misappropriate
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Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Jan. 2026
Medicaid money misappropriated The DeSantis administration directed the $10 million to be set aside for a charity, the Hope Florida Foundation, which then gave it to two nonprofits.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
In October, federal prosecutors brought their first cases, charging two real estate executives with misappropriating millions.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Nathan Trauernicht faces a felony charge of misappropriating public funds while serving as the UC Davis fire chief.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misappropriate
Cite this Entry
“Misappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misappropriate. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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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