Embezzlement: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone illegally takes money that they have been entrusted with, especially in a professional setting like a company or organization.

• The accountant was fired for embezzlement after it was revealed he had been siphoning off company funds.
• She was convicted of embezzlement for stealing from the charity she managed.

Typically used in a legal or formal context to describe the act of taking something for one's own use without permission, often related to funds or resources.

• The politician faced charges of misappropriation of government funds.
• Misappropriation of company resources led to his dismissal.

General term for taking someone else's property without permission; can apply to a wide range of situations from shoplifting to stealing cars.

• She was arrested for theft after shoplifting several items from the store.
• The neighborhood has seen a rise in bicycle theft recently.

Broad term often used to describe various illegal acts involving deception, such as lying or misrepresenting information, usually for financial gain.

• The company was accused of committing fraud by overstating its earnings.
• He was charged with fraud for using fake IDs to open bank accounts.