as in stole
to take (something) without right and with an intent to keep
a financial manager misappropriating funds from her clients' accounts
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Recent Examples of misappropriated
If the audit reveals that funds were misappropriated or handled criminally, those responsible belong in prison.
—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
DeMaio said police found that Orsini misappropriated more than $100,000 in chamber funds between 2022 and 2025.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
While Montana maintained his right of publicity was misappropriated, the court held the posters reflected reporting on newsworthy events.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Ellison acknowledged that the meeting itself took place at LifeTime Work’s coworking space, which houses the corporate offices of ThinkTechAct Foundation, a company that misappropriated millions of dollars in child nutrition money.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
The investigation, supported by an audit by Arkansas Legislative Audit, determined Hulen misappropriated $2,210 in court fine payments while employed as the court clerk.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Apr. 2026
The suit also claims Resilience CEO Manoj Prasad misappropriated a state loan worth $10 million.
—Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
After Lourenco took over as president, his administration estimated that at least $24 billion was stolen or misappropriated by dos Santos.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
The charges stem from an internal investigation that found Lum misappropriated roughly $600,000 over several years while serving as COO from January 2019 until his resignation in December 2025.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
DeMaio said police found that Orsini misappropriated more than $100,000 in chamber funds between 2022 and 2025.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
While Montana maintained his right of publicity was misappropriated, the court held the posters reflected reporting on newsworthy events.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Ellison acknowledged that the meeting itself took place at LifeTime Work’s coworking space, which houses the corporate offices of ThinkTechAct Foundation, a company that misappropriated millions of dollars in child nutrition money.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
The investigation, supported by an audit by Arkansas Legislative Audit, determined Hulen misappropriated $2,210 in court fine payments while employed as the court clerk.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Apr. 2026
The suit also claims Resilience CEO Manoj Prasad misappropriated a state loan worth $10 million.
—Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
After Lourenco took over as president, his administration estimated that at least $24 billion was stolen or misappropriated by dos Santos.
—ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
The charges stem from an internal investigation that found Lum misappropriated roughly $600,000 over several years while serving as COO from January 2019 until his resignation in December 2025.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misappropriated
Verb
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Story, who stole second in Boston’s three-run first inning, was among the players who might have been relaying signs.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
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And, surprise, surprise, that’s exactly what happened Tuesday when Shirokawa lined a single to center field, stole second base and scored in the bottom of the eighth inning in a 7-6 Fox Valley Conference win over visiting Hampshire.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Cohen is careful not to let enthusiasm for the science bleed into endorsement of the wellness industry that has appropriated it.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
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The administration has refused to spend money Congress has appropriated, like for foreign aid, and has spent money that Congress has not appropriated, like to pay DHS employees despite a shutdown.—
Sam Gringlas,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misappropriated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misappropriated. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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