as in stealing
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 misappropriating
In his closing, Scott admitted to writing and mailing the letters, but argued that authorities cannot prove Morales Reyes' identity, and therefore he should not be found guilty of misappropriating his identity.
—
Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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
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
Hancock said that even as much of the misinformation online still comes through more traditional avenues, such as people misappropriating real media to paint false narratives, AI is rapidly dumping more fuel on the fire.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
The federal indictment accuses Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother of misappropriating $5 million in FEMA relief funds that were meant for COVID-19 response, according to CBS 12.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
Wilson then countersued her producers, accusing them of misappropriating $900,000 in Australian currency and expanding on the claim that The Deb star Charlotte MacInnes came to Wilson with an allegation about Ghost, which Wilson was later punished for reporting.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
Hulu’s depiction of Alex Murdaugh’s engagement in extensive financial fraud – including embezzling funds from his own law firm, misappropriating client money and committing insurance fraud – are well-documented and formed a key part of the investigations leading up to his criminal trials.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025
Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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
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
Hancock said that even as much of the misinformation online still comes through more traditional avenues, such as people misappropriating real media to paint false narratives, AI is rapidly dumping more fuel on the fire.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
The federal indictment accuses Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother of misappropriating $5 million in FEMA relief funds that were meant for COVID-19 response, according to CBS 12.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
Wilson then countersued her producers, accusing them of misappropriating $900,000 in Australian currency and expanding on the claim that The Deb star Charlotte MacInnes came to Wilson with an allegation about Ghost, which Wilson was later punished for reporting.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
Hulu’s depiction of Alex Murdaugh’s engagement in extensive financial fraud – including embezzling funds from his own law firm, misappropriating client money and committing insurance fraud – are well-documented and formed a key part of the investigations leading up to his criminal trials.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misappropriating
stealing
Verb
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Some also accused unscrupulous recruitment agents or Russian colleagues of stealing from their bank accounts.—
Larry Madowo,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Vandals broke into a Catholic school in Long Beach overnight Monday, stealing church items, damaging statues and tossing the tabernacle to the ground, according to police and school officials.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misappropriating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misappropriating. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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