What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defalcate
Example
The accountant was caught defalcating company funds and was fired immediately. [defalcating: verb]
Example
The CEO was charged with defalcation after it was discovered that he had been embezzling company funds for years. [defalcation: noun]
embezzle
Example
The treasurer was arrested for embezzling thousands of dollars from the charity organization. [embezzling: verb]
Example
The embezzlement of company funds resulted in a significant loss for the shareholders. [embezzlement: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Embezzle is more commonly used than defalcate in everyday language. It is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts related to financial fraud or theft. Defalcate, on the other hand, is less common and mostly used in legal or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defalcate and embezzle?
Defalcate is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, while embezzle is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
