embezzlement

USAGE SUMMARY

"embezzlement" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of illegally taking or misusing funds or assets for one’s own gain. For example: "The company was forced to close after it was discovered that the CFO had been engaging in embezzlement for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ashurkov is wanted in Russia on embezzlement charges stemming from the fundraising he led for Navalny's 2013 grassroots campaign to become mayor of Moscow, in which the opposition candidate received 30% of the vote despite being denied vital coverage by state-owned television.

The Guardian

He has been charged with embezzlement in a case he believes has been designed to silence him.

The Guardian - Music

"Western leaders look at Africa and blame their leaders for corruption but they don't recognise that the systems we've put in place – above all the tax havens jurisdiction economy – are an open invitation to criminal behaviour, fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement, and non-disclosure".

The Guardian - Business

He has since been arrested and is serving a sentence for embezzlement, Fontanka.ru reported.

The Guardian

Amnesty reckons that 23,392 people are living under death sentences worldwide for crimes including treason, embezzlement and adultery.

The Economist

Of the 25 outgoing regional presidents, 22 are being investigated for embezzlement.

The Economist

Enrico Letta's left-right coalition government signed off on the main bit of the budget just a few hours before a deadline imposed by EU law; the cabinet met afterwards to iron out the details.An appeal court in Russia upheld the conviction of a popular opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, for embezzlement, but suspended his jail sentence.

The Economist

In Ancash, north of Lima, the jailed regional president is accused of murder, espionage and embezzlement on an industrial scale.There is little effort to hold local governments to account.

The Economist

His is the fifth arrest of a senior Agribank executive in as many months; the previous four face charges of embezzlement and theft totalling about $7m.Back in August the arrest of the head of another big bank, Asia Commercial Bank, led to a plunge in the stockmarket and a bank run.

The Economist

State governors from other parties have got away with far worse, from drug-running to embezzlement.

The Economist

Recently, Lone Star, an American buy-out fund under investigation for embezzlement and tax evasion by one of its employees, faxed the finance ministry an offer to pay 100 billion won to "society".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "embezzlement", specify the type of assets or funds that were misappropriated for clarity and impact. For instance, "embezzlement of pension funds" or "embezzlement of company assets".

Common error

Don't use "embezzlement" interchangeably with fraud or theft. "Embezzlement" specifically involves the misappropriation of assets by someone entrusted with them, whereas fraud involves deception to obtain money or property, and theft is a broader term for taking someone else's property.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "embezzlement" is as a noun. It names the specific act of fraudulently appropriating property by someone to whom it has been entrusted. Ludwig examples show it is used as the target of investigation, charge, or conviction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "embezzlement" is a noun referring to the act of fraudulently appropriating property. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term is grammatically sound and appropriate for written English. Its usage is most common within the realm of news and media, followed by formal business contexts. To enhance clarity, specifying the assets embezzled is a useful practice. Remember that "embezzlement" differs from simple theft by the element of trust placed in the perpetrator.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misappropriation of funds

Focuses specifically on the misuse of financial resources.

fraudulent conversion of assets

Emphasizes the deceitful nature of changing asset ownership.

pecuniary theft

Highlights the stealing of money.

breach of fiduciary duty

Underlines the violation of trust associated with managing assets.

defalcation of money

Specifically refers to the act of misappropriating funds, often in smaller amounts.

misapplication of funds

Highlights the incorrect or inappropriate use of money.

skimming of profits

Implies a gradual and subtle removal of funds.

pilfering of resources

Suggests stealing small amounts of resources over time.

financial malfeasance

Broader term indicating wrongdoing in financial matters.

illegal appropriation

Highlights the unlawful taking of something.

FAQs

How is "embezzlement" different from theft?

"Embezzlement" involves the misappropriation of assets by someone who has been entrusted with them, while theft is the act of taking someone else's property without permission. The key difference lies in the element of trust and authorized access in "embezzlement".

What are some common contexts where I might encounter the word "embezzlement"?

You'll often find "embezzlement" used in legal, business, and news contexts when discussing financial crimes involving a breach of trust. It frequently appears in reports about corporate fraud, political corruption, and financial mismanagement.

Which actions can be considered examples of "embezzlement"?

Examples of "embezzlement" include a bank teller pocketing cash from the till, an accountant using company funds for personal expenses, or a trustee misusing funds from a trust account.

What are some legal consequences for "embezzlement"?

The legal consequences for "embezzlement" vary depending on the jurisdiction and the amount of money involved. Penalties can range from fines and probation to lengthy prison sentences. Additionally, the offender may be required to pay restitution to the victim.