act of embezzlement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act of embezzlement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal, financial, or ethical discussions to refer to the act of wrongfully taking or misappropriating funds or property entrusted to someone. Example: "The investigation revealed a clear act of embezzlement by the company's financial officer, leading to significant losses for the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Mafia state" may sound extreme, but these winter games will go down in history as perhaps the most audacious act of embezzlement in human history.

The Guardian - Sport

There is a causal chain of sorts from her expensive tastes to his act of embezzlement and the consequent institutional harm that his act in turn causes.

SEP

For he is fully responsible for his act of embezzlement, and it is this act — and this act alone — that constitutes an act of institutional corruption.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Discusses at length the difficulties in detecting acts of embezzlement, fraud, or thievery in which computers are used.

The New Yorker

A leading finance official of Germany's embattled Christian Democratic party committed suicide today after leaving a note indicating he had become aware of acts of embezzlement, the police said.

The New York Times

"Less than six months removed from last summer's so-called debt crisis, we are on the verge of committing another act of generational embezzlement," said Representative Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, a freshman Republican.

The New York Times

In a lawsuit, studio owners alleged "various acts of fraud and embezzlement" occurred when Katersky and Arnold managed the studio from 2004 to 2006.

Los Angeles Times

The suit said that all 18 members of the Teamsters general executive board have committed mail fraud; that seven of them have committed acts of racketeering including embezzlement and bribery, and that 12 board members have aided and abetted wire fraud in connection with a Mafia scheme to ensure the elections of the last two Teamster presidents, Roy L. Williams and Presser.

Los Angeles Times

The prosecutor alleges that he acted improperly in ordering the release of a woman convicted of embezzlement.

The Economist

To fire Hunter "for cause," the union would have to prove that Hunter was guilty of embezzlement, theft, larceny, material fraud or other acts of dishonesty, Ashley said.

The New York Times - Sports

Rates of embezzlement and whistleblowing increase with the number of levels in the structure.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or financial impropriety, use "act of embezzlement" to clearly denote a specific instance of misappropriation rather than a general trend or ongoing issue.

Common error

Avoid using "act of embezzlement" interchangeably with terms like "fraud" or "theft". Embezzlement specifically involves the misappropriation of assets by someone entrusted with them, distinguishing it from other forms of financial crime.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of embezzlement" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying a singular occurrence of the crime of embezzlement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, aligning with examples found in legal and financial discussions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of embezzlement" precisely describes a specific instance of misappropriation, especially in legal and formal contexts. While relatively rare, as indicated by Ludwig, it maintains grammatical correctness and consistent usage across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist. Alternatives such as "instance of misappropriation" or "case of financial malfeasance" may offer similar meanings depending on the context, but "act of embezzlement" clearly denotes a singular, defined occurrence of this financial crime.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instance of misappropriation

Replaces "embezzlement" with a more general term for the wrongful taking of something.

case of financial malfeasance

Substitutes "embezzlement" with a more formal and broader term indicating wrongdoing.

fraudulent conversion of funds

Specifies the type of embezzlement as involving a deceitful change of funds.

defalcation incident

Replaces "act" and "embezzlement" with single words that encapsulate the meaning.

breach of fiduciary duty involving theft

Highlights the violation of trust inherent in the act of embezzlement.

illegal diversion of assets

Focuses on the unlawful redirection of company property.

peculation event

Employs a less common term, "peculation", for embezzlement, making it a rare synonym.

misappropriation of trust funds

Highlights that the funds taken are from a trust.

criminal breach of trust

Emphasizes the legal aspect and broken trust in the situation.

unlawful taking of entrusted property

A more verbose alternative that focuses on the illegal nature of the act and that property was entrusted.

FAQs

How can I use "act of embezzlement" in a sentence?

You can use "act of embezzlement" to describe a specific instance where someone wrongfully takes assets they were entrusted with. For example, "The audit revealed a clear "act of embezzlement" by the treasurer".

What's the difference between "act of embezzlement" and "fraud"?

"Act of embezzlement" refers specifically to the misappropriation of funds or assets by a person in a position of trust. "Fraud", on the other hand, is a broader term encompassing any deceitful act intended to gain unfair or illegal advantage.

What can I say instead of "act of embezzlement"?

You can use alternatives like "instance of misappropriation", "case of financial malfeasance", or "fraudulent conversion of funds" depending on the context.

Is "act of embezzlement" a formal or informal term?

"Act of embezzlement" is considered a formal term suitable for legal, financial, and professional contexts. In more informal settings, simpler terms like "theft" or "stealing" might be used.