peculate
Misappropriate entrusted money
To peculate is to embezzle or misappropriate funds entrusted to one's care, especially public money.
The word is formal and somewhat old-fashioned, appearing mainly in legal or administrative contexts: The treasurer was convicted of peculating campaign funds.
The noun peculation refers to the act itself.
Liquid transfer tube
- skimPass over lightly
- divertCause to change course
- misapplyUse incorrectly
- pocketFabric compartment in clothing
appropriate · pilfer · filch · purloin · abstract · defalcation · misappropriation · treasury
Distort the truth
- forgeFurnace for shaping metal
- doctoredDeceptively altered
- fabricateInvent or manufacture
- manipulateControl through clever influence
conceal · cover-up · scheme · swindle · scam · con · bilk · defraud
Illicit political gain
- malfeasanceUnlawful act by officeholder
- misconductImproper professional behavior
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- fiduciaryAgent bound by loyalty
breach · self-dealing · kickbacks · patronage · cronyism · municipal · governmental · bureaucratic
siphon
Liquid transfer tube
pocket · appropriate · pilfer · filch · purloin · abstract · defalcation · misappropriation · treasury · coffers
falsify
Distort the truth
manipulate · conceal · cover-up · scheme · swindle · scam · con · bilk · defraud · fleece
graft
Illicit political gain
- malfeasanceUnlawful act by officeholder
- misconductImproper professional behavior
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
fiduciary · breach · self-dealing · kickbacks · patronage · cronyism · municipal · governmental · bureaucratic · accountability