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embezzle Definition

em·bez·zle (em bez′əl, im-)

transitive verb -·zled, -·zling

to steal (money, etc. entrusted to one's care); take by fraud for one's own use

Etymology: ME embesilen < Anglo-Fr enbesiler < OFr embesillier < en- (see en-) + besillier, to destroy

embezzle Related Forms
em·bez′·zle·ment noun em·bez′·zler noun
embezzle Synonyms

embezzle

v.

thieve, misappropriate, peculate, pilfer; see rob, steal.

embezzle Law Definition

v

To illegally misappropriate property under one’s care, particularly property to which one has a public trust or fiduciary duty.
embezzle Usage Examples

Object

  • fund: He wasn't doing anything under the table with his tax returns; he wasn't embezzling company funds.
  • money: I had embezzled money at my store; I was lost else; I must have gone to jail.
  • million: Sacirbey was recently arrested for embezzling millions from the impoverished Bosnian state.

Modifying Another Word

  • allegedly: A warrant has been issued for his arrest because he has allegedly embezzled $ 120 million.
  • n't: He wasn't doing anything under the table with his tax returns; he was n't embezzling company funds.