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Definition of misappropriate

misappropriate

/ˌmɪsəˈproʊprieɪt/
mis · ap · pro · pri · ate
Adjective:misappropriated
•
Past Simple:misappropriated
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Past Participle:misappropriated
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Present Participle:misappropriating
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misappropriate Lexical Profile

misappropriate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To dishonestly or unfairly take something, especially money or property entrusted to one's care, for one's own use.

Example

"The former treasurer was prosecuted after an audit revealed he had tried to misappropriate charity funds for personal expenses."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for misappropriate

• Nearby Words

misapplication
misapply
misapprehension
misappropriate
misappropriation
misarticulation
misassign

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 19th century by combining the Germanic prefix 'mis-' (badly, wrongly) with 'appropriate', which derives from the Late Latin 'appropriatus', meaning 'made one's own' (from 'proprius', meaning 'own' or 'personal').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Misappropriate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/misappropriate
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