misappropriate
Divert for oneself
To misappropriate is to take something—usually money or resources—for an improper or unauthorized purpose.
The word typically appears in contexts of institutional wrongdoing: The treasurer misappropriated funds from the charity.
It carries a formal, legal tone that distinguishes it from ordinary theft—implying breach of trust rather than simple stealing.
Theft of entrusted assets
- defalcationMisappropriation of entrusted funds
- siphoningDrawing liquid through tube
- skimmingPassing lightly over
- diversionRedirection of attention
misapplication · pocketing · pilferage · fiddling · cooking the books · creative accounting · slush fund · trust violation
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- graftIllicit political gain
- malfeasanceUnlawful act by officeholder
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
nepotism · kleptocracy · payola · under-the-table · venality · profiteering · racketeering · patronage
Improper application
- unlawfulForbidden by statute
- illicitProhibited by law
- illegitimateNot authorized or recognized
- unsanctionedNot officially permitted
improper · illegal · usurpation · infringement · encroachment · overreach · breach of trust · violation
Deception for financial gain
- defraudObtain through deceit
- bilkDefraud of payment
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
falsification · deceit · misrepresentation · fraudulence · phony · sham · fake · con
steal
Take without permission
larceny · thievery · pilferage · plunder · loot · swipe · pinch · nick · lift · abstract
peculation
Theft of entrusted assets
- defalcationMisappropriation of entrusted funds
- siphoningDrawing liquid through tube
- skimmingPassing lightly over
diversion · misapplication · pocketing · pilferage · fiddling · cooking the books · creative accounting · slush fund · trust violation · asset stripping
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- graftIllicit political gain
- malfeasanceUnlawful act by officeholder
cronyism · nepotism · kleptocracy · payola · under-the-table · venality · profiteering · racketeering · patronage · quid pro quo
misuse
Improper application
- unlawfulForbidden by statute
- illicitProhibited by law
- illegitimateNot authorized or recognized
unsanctioned · improper · illegal · usurpation · infringement · encroachment · overreach · breach of trust · violation · exploitation
swindle
Deception for financial gain
forgery · falsification · deceit · misrepresentation · fraudulence · phony · sham · fake · con · flimflam
misappropriation, misappropriated, misappropriating, misappropriates