misappropriate

From mis- +‎ appropriate.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌmɪs.əˈpɹəʊ.pɹɪ.eɪt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌmɪs.əˈpɹoʊ.pɹi.eɪt/

misappropriate (third-person singular simple present misappropriates, present participle misappropriating, simple past and past participle misappropriated)

1. (transitive) To take something for wrong or illegal purposes.
2. (transitive) To embezzle.

   The accountant was found to have misappropriated funds over a period of three years.

• (take for wrong purposes): misuse
• (embezzle): defalcate, embezzle, peculate

• misappropriation