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Embezzlement

UK //ɪmˈbɛzlmənt// US //ɛmˈbɛzlmənt// Pronunciation

Definition

The act of stealing money or property entrusted to one's care.

Listen to definition

In simple words: Stealing money that you are responsible for managing.

Examples

• The accountant was charged with embezzlement after funds went missing.
• Embezzlement can have severe legal consequences and impact many victims.
• The company suffered massive losses due to embezzlement by a trusted employee.
• Investigators uncovered embezzlement schemes involving several hundred thousand dollars.
• She was found guilty of embezzlement and sentenced to prison.

Usage notes

Used primarily in legal and financial contexts. Not common in everyday conversation.

Grammar pattern

embezzlement + of money

Memory hint

Think 'embezzler' - a person who takes money away from a company.

Collocations

• commit embezzlement
• investigate embezzlement
• report embezzlement
• suspected embezzlement
• case of embezzlement

Synonyms

• theft
• fraud
• misappropriation
• larceny
• pilfering

Common mistakes

• Confused with 'embezzle' which is the verb form.
• Mistakenly used in other contexts unrelated to theft.
• Overgeneralizing to include other forms of theft.