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Embezzlement: meaning, definitions and examples

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embezzlement

 

[ ɪmˈbɛz(ə)lmənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

financial crime

Embezzlement is the act of dishonestly withholding assets for the purpose of conversion (theft) of such assets, by one or more persons to whom the assets were entrusted, either to be held or to be used for specific purposes.

Synonyms

fraud, misappropriation, theft

Examples of usage

  • The accountant was charged with embezzlement of company funds.
  • The embezzlement of public funds is a serious offense.

Translations

Translations of the word "embezzlement" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desfalque

🇮🇳 गबन

🇩🇪 Unterschlagung

🇮🇩 penggelapan

🇺🇦 розкрадання

🇵🇱 defraudacja

🇯🇵 横領 (おうりょう)

🇫🇷 détournement de fonds

🇪🇸 malversación

🇹🇷 zimmet

🇰🇷 횡령 (hoengnyeong)

🇸🇦 اختلاس (ikhtilās)

🇨🇿 zpronevěra

🇸🇰 sprenevera

🇨🇳 挪用 (nuóyòng)

🇸🇮 poneverba

🇮🇸 fjárdrátt

🇰🇿 ысырап ету

🇬🇪 გაფლანგვა (gaplangva)

🇦🇿 mənimsəmə

🇲🇽 malversación

Word origin

The term 'embezzlement' originated in the 15th century from the Anglo-French word 'embeziller', which means 'to make away with goods'. It has been used in the legal context to describe the wrongful appropriation of funds or property entrusted to one's care. Embezzlement has been a common form of financial crime throughout history, with notable cases dating back centuries.

See also: embezzle.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,667, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.