What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
misappropriation
Example
The company was accused of misappropriation of funds by diverting money from investors to personal accounts. [misappropriation: noun]
Example
The employee was fired for misappropriating confidential information from the company's database. [misappropriating: gerund or present participle]
stealing
Example
The thief was caught stealing jewelry from the store. [stealing: verb]
Example
She was charged with stealing a car from the parking lot. [stealing: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stealing is more commonly used than misappropriation in everyday language. Stealing is a common term used to describe the act of taking something without permission, while misappropriation is a legal term that is less commonly used in everyday conversation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between misappropriation and stealing?
Misappropriation is a more formal term that is typically used in legal or business contexts, while stealing is a more informal term that can be used in various contexts, including everyday conversation and media reporting.