misappropriation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "misappropriation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal, financial, or ethical contexts to refer to the unauthorized use of someone else's property or funds. Example: "The company faced serious allegations of misappropriation of funds, leading to an internal investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It allegedly involves the misappropriation of one-third of the city's $1.2 billion social-security fund.

The Economist

The bill might not now save Mr Previti, but it could help Mr Berlusconi in his latest case, on charges of tax evasion and misappropriation of funds.

The Economist

But since the money was intended for FIFA, the prosecutor investigated the individuals pocketing it for criminal mismanagement and misappropriation.

The Economist

Their letter also alleged that Mr Muller-Moore's "misappropriation of Chick-fil-A's EAT MOR CHIKIN intellectual property…is likely to cause confusion".In this section Fashion forward Golden fleeces Guides through the swamp Prometheus unsound Shut your kale-hole Strong deliverer From lumps to lager Asian innovation ReprintsReally?

The Economist

Writing of one rural development programme, the report cites "leakages, misappropriation of funds, violation of programme guidelines, selection of the non-poor as a target group, absence of proper maintenance of accounts and poor quality of assets".

The Economist

This week, when he was due in court, an unprecedented event for the fifth republic, the judge suspended the case for three months on a technicality.Mr Chirac is charged with "misappropriation of public funds", using fake jobs paid for by the Paris town hall.

The Economist

Mr Qin (who is also a translator of Jean-Paul Sartre) was accused of involvement in the misappropriation of $400m of the city's social-security funds.

The Economist

See articleRupert Murdoch again lashed out at online news aggregators, accusing them of the "wholesale misappropriation" of articles.

The Economist

The 78-year-old Mr Chirac is charged with "misappropriation of public funds" in connection with the creation of fake jobs while he was mayor of Paris, in 1977-95.

The Economist

Exposed to the country's turmoil one is struck by the extent of corruption, misappropriation, waste of public funds and preoccupation with self-interest, oblivious to the impact on the commonweal.This cannot be corrected by monetary policy, however tight, nor fiscal policy, however wise, nor any form of aid, however generous.

The Economist

She instead faces a tawdry list of a dozen counts of theft, perjury, fraudulent misappropriation and misconduct, including allegations that she spent gift certificates intended for needy families on herself.The perjury charges were initially dismissed, and only refiled after Ronald Lipscomb, a local developer and former lover of Ms Dixon's, agreed to co-operate with the prosecution.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical breaches, use "misappropriation" to clearly denote the wrongful and often fraudulent use of funds or property entrusted to one's care.

Common error

Avoid using "misappropriation" when simply describing the incorrect use of something without a breach of trust or fraudulent intent. Instead, reserve it for situations involving a violation of fiduciary duty or theft of entrusted assets.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "misappropriation" is as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the action or instance of wrongfully taking something. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Misappropriation" is a noun referring to the wrongful or fraudulent use of funds or property, particularly involving a breach of trust. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. High-quality sources like The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica frequently employ the term. Related terms include "embezzlement", "defalcation", and "peculation", each carrying slightly different nuances. It's important to distinguish "misappropriation" from general misuse, reserving it for instances involving breaches of fiduciary duty. As Ludwig AI confirms, understanding its proper usage is crucial for clear and accurate communication in legal, ethical, and financial discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

embezzlement

Embezzlement specifically refers to the fraudulent taking of money or property entrusted to one's care.

defalcation

Defalcation implies a breach of trust involving the misuse of funds, often in a professional or fiduciary context.

peculation

Peculation denotes the theft or embezzlement of public funds by someone in an official position.

misapplication of funds

Misapplication of funds refers to using funds for purposes other than those for which they were intended.

illegal use of funds

Illegal use of funds highlights the unlawful nature of the funds' usage, regardless of the specific intent.

breach of fiduciary duty

Breach of fiduciary duty describes a situation where someone violates their legal duty to act in another's best interest.

unlawful conversion

Unlawful conversion refers to taking someone else's property and converting it to one's own use without legal right.

fraudulent conversion

Fraudulent conversion emphasizes the deceptive intent behind the taking and misuse of property.

theft of resources

Theft of resources is a broad term that encompasses the stealing of any kind of valuable asset or resource.

financial misconduct

Financial misconduct is a general term for unethical or illegal behavior related to financial matters.

FAQs

What is the definition of "misappropriation"?

"Misappropriation" refers to the wrongful, fraudulent, or corrupt use of another's funds or property that has been entrusted to one's care. It often involves a breach of trust.

What are some synonyms for "misappropriation"?

Synonyms for "misappropriation" include "embezzlement", "defalcation", "misapplication of funds", and "peculation".

How does "misappropriation" differ from simple theft?

"Misappropriation" typically involves a breach of trust where someone is entrusted with funds or property and then uses it wrongfully. Theft, on the other hand, does not necessarily involve a prior relationship of trust.

What legal consequences can arise from "misappropriation"?

The legal consequences of "misappropriation" can include criminal charges such as fraud, theft, and breach of fiduciary duty, as well as civil lawsuits seeking damages for the financial harm caused.