Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of using something for a purpose for which it is not intended or is not suited, especially in a way that is dishonest or unauthorized: This refers to the wrongful borrowing or misuse of ideas, concepts, or intangible assets.
   • The fraudulent taking of money or property that has been entrusted to one's care, for one's own use: This refers to the illegal use of funds or assets by someone who was supposed to manage them for another party.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The journalist was accused of misappropriation for using confidential sources in his unauthorized biography.
  • The treasurer was charged with misappropriation of the club's funds, using them for personal vacations.

Advanced Usage

• "Misappropriation of assets": A specific legal and accounting term for the theft or misuse of company resources.
  • The audit revealed a significant misappropriation of assets over several years.
• "Misappropriation of trade secrets": The illegal use or disclosure of confidential business information.
  • The lawsuit centered on the misappropriation of trade secrets by a former employee.

Variants and Related Words

• Misappropriate (verb): To take something dishonestly for one's own use.
  • He was found to have misappropriated public donations.
• Appropriation (noun): The act of setting aside or taking something for a particular purpose. (Note: This is the neutral or positive root; "mis-" adds the negative, wrongful connotation.)

Synonyms

• Embezzlement: Theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer. (Often used interchangeably in financial contexts.)
• Diversion: The act of redirecting something, especially funds, from its intended purpose.
• Misuse: Using something incorrectly or improperly.

Related Phrases

• "Misappropriation of funds": A very common phrase specifically for the illegal use of money.
  • The charity was shut down due to the misappropriation of funds.
• "Misappropriation of identity": While less common than "identity theft," it can refer to the wrongful use of someone's personal information.

Noun

1. wrongful borrowing
   • his explanation was a misappropriation of sociological theory
2. the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else