embezzle from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "embezzle from" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe the act of stealing or misusing money or property that has been entrusted to one's care. It is typically used in a legal or formal context. Example: The CEO was charged with embezzling from the company's funds for personal gain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr Weiner didn't kill anybody or embezzle from an orphanage or kick a dog.

The Economist

About the church treasurers who don't embezzle from their congregations, who never even dream of it.

The New York Times

For his part, Jeff, a former broker, has decided that it must have been substance abuse that led him to embezzle from his clients.

The New Yorker

Did Mr. Ward also embezzle from his political consulting firm, and would an audience understand the difference between that and the Republican Congressional Committee?

The New York Times - Arts

In court Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Lopez pleaded not guilty to 15 charges, including conspiracy to embezzle from an employee benefit plan, mail and wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.

The New York Times

For instance, airline ticket receipts were filed for trips that never took place and when executives listed 100 guests at a conference, perhaps only 80 showed up, making it possible to file false inflated receipts and thus embezzle from Glaxo's London headquarters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Its last executive director embezzled from it.

The New York Times

Is he embezzling from his job?

The Guardian - Film

Taiwan's imprisoned former president was acquitted on Tuesday of embezzling from a special diplomatic fund.

The New York Times

Last December, he was charged with embezzling from Proton to prop up his other interests.

The New York Times

On Thursday, in an unrelated federal complaint, Dykstra was charged with embezzling from a bankruptcy estate.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "embezzle from", clearly specify the entity or source from which the funds were taken to provide clarity and context to the action.

Common error

Avoid substituting "from" with prepositions like "of" or "out of". "Embezzle" specifically requires "from" to indicate the source of the misappropriated funds. For example, say "embezzle from the company", not "embezzle the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "embezzle from" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive verb requiring both a subject and an object. It describes the action of illegally appropriating funds or assets, with "from" indicating the source of the misappropriated funds. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

7%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "embezzle from" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of illegally taking funds or assets that were entrusted to someone, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is considered grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While less frequent than other verbs, understanding its proper usage, particularly concerning the preposition "from", is crucial for clear and accurate communication. When writing, clearly specify the entity from which funds were taken and avoid using alternative prepositions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misappropriate funds from

Focuses on the improper or unauthorized use of funds, highlighting a breach of trust.

defraud of

Highlights the deceitful taking of something valuable from someone.

steal from

A more general term for taking something without permission, applicable to various contexts.

pilfer from

Implies petty theft, often of small items or amounts.

swindle out of

Suggests obtaining something through deception or trickery.

rip off

An informal term for cheating or defrauding someone.

milk

To extract money or resources from something slowly or steadily, often deceptively.

bleed dry

To exhaust someone or something of their resources, often financially.

purloin from

A more formal and less common term for stealing.

peculate from

To embezzle or misuse funds, especially public funds.

FAQs

How do I use "embezzle from" in a sentence?

Use "embezzle from" to describe the act of illegally taking money or property that has been entrusted to someone. For example, "The accountant was arrested for embezzling from the company's pension fund".

What can I say instead of "embezzle from"?

You can use alternatives like "misappropriate funds from", "defraud of", or "steal from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "embezzle from" or just "embezzle"?

"Embezzle" is a transitive verb that requires a direct object. To specify the source, use "embezzle from" followed by the entity that was defrauded. For example, "He embezzled from the charity" is correct.

What's the difference between "embezzle from" and "steal from"?

"Steal from" is a general term for taking something without permission. "Embezzle from" specifically refers to the act of misappropriating funds or assets that were entrusted to one's care, often involving a breach of trust.