Meaning
Embezzle means to steal or misuse money or property that has been entrusted to you, often from an organization or employer. It usually involves financial fraud or theft by someone in a position of trust.
Grammar and Usage
- Part of speech: Verb (transitive)
- Verb forms: embezzle – embezzled – embezzling
- Typical structure:
- embezzle money/funds/property from [organization/person]
- be charged with embezzling [amount]
Example structure:
She was accused of embezzling funds from the company.
Common Phrases
- embezzle money/funds/assets – to steal money or assets entrusted to someone.
- charged with embezzlement – to face legal charges for financial theft.
- embezzlement of public funds – illegal use of government money.
Collocations
| Type | Common Collocations |
|---|---|
| Verbs | commit embezzlement, uncover embezzlement |
| Nouns | embezzlement case, embezzlement charge |
| Adjectives | large-scale embezzlement, corporate embezzlement |
| Prepositions | embezzlement of funds, embezzle from the company |
Examples
- The accountant was fired for embezzling company funds.
- He was charged with embezzling nearly two million dollars.
- The investigation revealed a long-term embezzlement scheme.
- The treasurer embezzled money from the charity over several years.
- The court sentenced her to five years in prison for embezzlement.
- The CEO denied all allegations of having embezzled investors’ money.
- Internal auditors discovered embezzled funds hidden in offshore accounts.
- The mayor resigned after a scandal involving embezzlement of public funds.
Synonyms or Related
- steal
- misappropriate
- defraud
- pilfer
- swindle
- siphon off
Antonym
- reimburse
- repay
- return