embezzlement
The act of secretly taking money or property that you were trusted to look after, usually for your own use. It is a specific type of financial crime committed by someone in a position of authority or trust, such as an employee or a public official.
Examples
3 of 5The store manager was caught for embezzlement after the owner noticed money missing from the safe.
The store manager was caught for embezzlement after the owner noticed money missing from the safe.
The defendant faces up to ten years in prison for the embezzlement of corporate assets.
The defendant faces up to ten years in prison for the embezzlement of corporate assets.
Did you hear that the treasurer was fired because of some embezzlement?
Did you hear that the treasurer was fired because of some embezzlement?
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'embezzle' as someone putting money in their 'BEZ-zel' (like a secret jewelry pocket) to hide it.
Quick Quiz
The company's accountant was arrested for ________ after he diverted $100,000 into his personal account.
Correct!
The correct answer is: embezzlement
Examples
The store manager was caught for embezzlement after the owner noticed money missing from the safe.
everydayThe store manager was caught for embezzlement after the owner noticed money missing from the safe.
The defendant faces up to ten years in prison for the embezzlement of corporate assets.
formalThe defendant faces up to ten years in prison for the embezzlement of corporate assets.
Did you hear that the treasurer was fired because of some embezzlement?
informalDid you hear that the treasurer was fired because of some embezzlement?
Theoretical frameworks often categorize embezzlement as a white-collar crime driven by financial pressure.
academicTheoretical frameworks often categorize embezzlement as a white-collar crime driven by financial pressure.
Internal audits are essential for any corporation to detect potential embezzlement early.
businessInternal audits are essential for any corporation to detect potential embezzlement early.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
grand embezzlement
theft of a very large amount of money
charge with embezzlement
to be officially accused by the police of this crime
investigate embezzlement
to look for evidence of stolen funds
Often Confused With
Larceny is general theft, whereas embezzlement requires that the thief was first trusted with the property.
Robbery involves force or threats, but embezzlement is a secret crime involving a breach of trust.
Usage Notes
Embezzlement is strictly a legal and business term. Use it when talking about someone like an accountant, lawyer, or employee stealing money they were supposed to manage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the general word 'stealing' for everything, but 'embezzlement' is more precise in professional contexts to show a person abused their job position.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'embezzle' as someone putting money in their 'BEZ-zel' (like a secret jewelry pocket) to hide it.
Word Origin
From the Old French word 'embesiller', which meant to destroy, waste, or make away with property.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking countries, embezzlement is known as a 'white-collar crime' because it is committed by office workers rather than through physical violence.
Quick Quiz
The company's accountant was arrested for ________ after he diverted $100,000 into his personal account.
Correct!
The correct answer is: embezzlement
Related Vocabulary
More law words
justice
A1Justice is the quality of being fair and reasonable in how people are treated. It also refers to the legal system and the way laws are used to punish people who do wrong.
verdict
A1A verdict is the official decision made by a jury or judge in a court of law about whether someone is guilty or not guilty. It is also used to describe a person's final opinion or judgment about something after testing or considering it.
trial
A1A formal process in a court of law to decide if someone is guilty of a crime. It involves a judge, and sometimes a jury, who listen to evidence and witnesses.
hearing
A1In a legal context, a hearing is a formal meeting where a judge or official listens to facts and arguments about a specific issue. It is typically shorter and less formal than a full trial but follows strict legal rules.
litigation
A1Litigation is the process of using a court of law to solve a legal disagreement. It involves a judge or jury making a final decision about a dispute between people or companies.
testimony
A1A formal statement given by a witness in a court of law or a public meeting. It is also used to describe something that serves as clear proof that a fact is true.
witness
A1A witness is a person who sees an event, such as a crime or an accident, take place. In a legal context, this person provides information or evidence in a court about what they observed.
crime
A1A crime is an action that is against the law and is punishable by the government. It refers to illegal activities like stealing or hurting someone.
criminal
A1A person who has committed a crime or done something illegal. This word describes someone who breaks the law and may be punished by the police or a court.
felony
A1A felony is a very serious crime, such as murder or armed robbery. In legal systems, it is a crime that is punished more severely than a minor offense, often resulting in more than one year in prison.
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