What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
embezzle
Example
The accountant was caught embezzling company funds. [embezzling: present participle]
Example
He was sentenced to prison for embezzlement of public funds. [embezzlement: noun]
misappropriate
Example
She misappropriated the company's resources for her own personal projects. [misappropriated: past tense]
Example
The charity accused the director of misappropriating donations for personal expenses. [misappropriating: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Misappropriate is more commonly used than embezzle in everyday language, as it has a broader scope of meaning and can refer to any type of misuse or appropriation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between embezzle and misappropriate?
Both embezzle and misappropriate are formal words that are typically used in legal or business contexts.
