misappropriate

verb

mis·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌmi-sə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt How to pronounce misappropriate (audio)
misappropriated; misappropriating; misappropriates
Synonyms of misappropriatenext

transitive verb

: to appropriate wrongly (as by theft or embezzlement)
misappropriation
ˌmi-sə-ˌprō-prē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce misappropriate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of misappropriate

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Examples of misappropriate in a Sentence

They accused him of misappropriating town funds. a financial manager misappropriating funds from her clients' accounts
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Three years later, in April 2018, he was accused of misappropriating over $400,000 in funds while working at the financial aid office as an undergraduate. — Owen Carry, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 That’s one reason there are so many arguments over the value of a team, or an athlete, or sports more generally, as more and more money chases something essentially priceless—or misappropriated, depending on your view. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 After a grand jury report found that Florida misappropriated $10 million in taxpayer money, the DeSantis administration is arguing that the anonymous leak of the report was the only crime committed. — Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Three months ago, a DHS employee was found to have misappropriated almost $2 million from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. — Brenna Witchey, Oklahoma Watch, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misappropriate

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misappropriate was in 1825

Rhymes for misappropriate

See All Rhymes for misappropriate

Browse Nearby Words

misapprehensive
misappropriate
misarranged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misappropriate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

misappropriate

verb
mis·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌmis-ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt How to pronounce misappropriate (audio)
: to appropriate wrongly
especially : to take dishonestly for one's own use
misappropriation
-ˌprō-prē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce misappropriate (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

misappropriate

transitive verb
mis·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌmi-sə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt How to pronounce misappropriate (audio)
: to appropriate wrongfully or unlawfully (as by theft or embezzlement)
misappropriation
-ˌprō-prē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce misappropriate (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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