What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defalcation
Example
The accountant was charged with defalcation after it was discovered that he had been stealing from the company's accounts. [defalcation: noun]
Example
The CEO was found guilty of defalcating funds from the company's pension plan. [defalcating: verb]
misappropriation
Example
The employee was fired for misappropriating company funds for personal use. [misappropriating: verb]
Example
The court found the defendant guilty of misappropriation of trade secrets. [misappropriation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Misappropriation is more commonly used in everyday language than defalcation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defalcation and misappropriation?
Both defalcation and misappropriation are formal terms used primarily in legal or financial contexts.
