MISAPPROPRIATE

embezzle, defalcate, peculate, misappropriate, malversate

(verb) appropriate (as property entrusted to one’s care) fraudulently to one’s own use; “The accountant embezzled thousands of dollars while working for the wealthy family”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

misappropriate (third-person singular simple present misappropriates, present participle misappropriating, simple past and past participle misappropriated)

(transitive) To take something for wrong or illegal purposes.

(transitive) To embezzle.

Synonyms

• (take for wrong purposes): misuse

• (embezzle): defalcate, embezzle, peculate

Source: Wiktionary

Mis`ap*pro"pri*ate, v. t.

Definition: To appropriate wrongly; to use for a wrong purpose.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition