Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

embezzled

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "embezzled" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of describing the act of wrongfully taking or misappropriating funds or property entrusted to one's care, often in a professional or financial setting. Example: "The accountant was found guilty of embezzling funds from the company over several years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ukraine has Europe's second-highest HIV rate, with 230,000 Ukrainians infected with the virus, yet in 2012 and 2013 more than a fifth of the budget for anti-retrovirals was embezzled through rigged auctions.

Allegations that he has embezzled huge amounts of American aid need to be investigated.

News & Media

The Economist

The mystery is perhaps not the 43% that was embezzled, but the millions in central-government funds that were left on the table by a local administrative machinery too apathetic even to steal with much conviction.According to Sushil Modi, Bihar's deputy chief minister, the biggest problem for all the poorer states is "the crisis of implementation".

News & Media

The Economist

The disgruntled could punish a leader they considered unfair with a "fine" of 400 shillings, but exacting the punishment was not free: the citizen had to pay 100 shillings to do so.As loss-aversion theory predicts, embezzled tax provoked greater anger than stolen aid.

News & Media

The Economist

Two years ago, China cracked down on cross-border gambling appealing to neighbouring countries to close down casinos, banning travel agents from offering gambling tours, restricting foreign visits by officials after one official allegedly embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars of government funds and gambled the money away at the casino in Rajin-Sonbong.

News & Media

The Economist

Then, in 1871, a fire in Chicago and the ensuing stockmarket collapse undid him: Yerkes was found to have embezzled funds that he was holding for the city of Philadelphia.

News & Media

The Economist

The vetting procedure may have been compromised too; those asked to remove warlords from the list found their phones buzzing with death threats.In July a UN report concluded that transitional leaders embezzled seven out of every ten dollars they received.

News & Media

The Economist

Reports of funds embezzled and assets spirited away are still frequent but the government has been setting a fair example.

News & Media

The Economist

Another top official in the rail ministry was later dismissed for corruption, and state auditors said millions had been embezzled from the high-speed network.That story has some echoes in Brazil, where an orgy of ministerial sackings has been in full swing.

News & Media

The Economist

But the local union branch is currently in disarray after accusations that union officials embezzled as much as $5m.The White House is also determined to shake up the city's schools.

News & Media

The Economist

One of Congo's vice-presidents, a Tutsi, threatened to quit government and take up arms to defend Tutsis.See articleSwitzerland decided to hand back to Nigeria $500m allegedly embezzled by the late dictator Sani Abacha and stashed in Swiss accounts.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "embezzled", ensure the context clearly indicates a breach of trust where someone in a position of authority or responsibility misappropriated funds or assets.

Common error

Avoid using "embezzled" when the act doesn't involve a breach of trust or fiduciary duty. "Stolen" is more appropriate for general theft where no such relationship exists.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The term "embezzled" functions primarily as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of "embezzle". It describes the action of fraudulently appropriating funds or property by someone entrusted with their care. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "embezzled" is the past tense of the verb "embezzle" and is used to describe the act of misappropriating funds or assets entrusted to someone. Ludwig AI validates that the term is grammatically correct and widely used. Its use implies a breach of trust and often appears in news reports and formal settings. Related terms include "misappropriated funds" and "defalcated money", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using "embezzled", ensure the context involves a violation of trust, distinguishing it from general theft.

FAQs

What does "embezzled" mean?

"Embezzled" means to dishonestly appropriate or convert money or property entrusted to one's care, typically in a professional or fiduciary capacity.

What are some synonyms for "embezzled"?

Some synonyms for "embezzled" include "misappropriated funds", "defalcated money", and "peculated funds". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How is "embezzled" different from "stolen"?

"Embezzled" implies a breach of trust where someone with access to funds or assets misappropriates them. "Stolen" is a more general term for taking something without permission and doesn't necessarily involve a breach of trust.

How do you use "embezzled" in a sentence?

You can say, "The accountant was accused of having "misappropriated funds" from the company accounts" or "The politician was found guilty of having "embezzled" campaign contributions".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: