peculation
Stealing entrusted funds
Peculation is the embezzlement of public funds or property by someone entrusted with them—typically a government official.
The word is formal and somewhat old-fashioned, appearing mainly in legal or historical contexts: The treasurer was convicted of peculation after auditors discovered missing funds.
It emphasizes the betrayal of public trust rather than mere theft.
Wrongful taking of entrusted assets
- defalcationMisappropriation of entrusted funds
- siphoningDrawing liquid through tube
- skimmingPassing lightly over
- pilferageMinor theft of goods
diversion · misapplication · larceny · swindling · appropriation · peculator · embezzler · fiduciary
Illicit political gain
- malfeasanceUnlawful act by officeholder
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
nepotism · collusion · profiteering · misconduct · exploitation · racketeering · patronage · officeholder
Intentional misleading of others
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
chicanery · deceit · trickery · manipulation · scheme · cover-up · doctoring · cooking the books
misappropriation
Wrongful taking of entrusted assets
- defalcationMisappropriation of entrusted funds
- siphoningDrawing liquid through tube
- skimmingPassing lightly over
pilferage · diversion · misapplication · larceny · swindling · appropriation · peculator · embezzler · fiduciary · breach of trust
graft
Illicit political gain
- malfeasanceUnlawful act by officeholder
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
cronyism · nepotism · collusion · profiteering · misconduct · exploitation · racketeering · patronage · officeholder · public trust
deception
Intentional misleading of others
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
misrepresentation · chicanery · deceit · trickery · manipulation · scheme · cover-up · doctoring · cooking the books · creative accounting
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- embezzlementdefalcation, misuse of funds, misappropriation, siphoning, corporate theft
- financial fraudsecurities fraud, bank fraud, accounting fraud, defalcation, embezzler
- theftstealing, larceny, steal, burglary, robbery
- dirty moneydirty money, ill-gotten gains, illicit funds, illicit gains, proceeds of crime
peculationhonesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
probity · integrity · incorruptibility · financial integrity · trustworthiness
peculationreimbursement
Payment for incurred expenses
restitution · repayment · bestowal · disbursement · donation