embezzle

/ɪmˈbezl/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈbezl/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈbe-zəl em-/ (ame, mw)

embezzle — verb

  • embezzlepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • embezzleshe / she / it
  • embezzledpast simple
  • embezzling-ing form

1. to steal money or property that you were trusted to manage as part of your job,

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to steal money or property that you were trusted to manage as part of your job, using it for your own benefit instead of your employer's

例句

The charity's treasurer, Mr. Lin, embezzled more than fifty thousand dollars from the children's hospital fund.

embezzle + amount + from + [fund/organization]

A police investigation found that two city officials had been embezzling public money meant for road repairs.

embezzle + public money meant for [purpose]

同義詞
  • misappropriate

    more formal and often used in legal or official contexts; can also include using funds for the wrong purpose without necessarily stealing

  • steal

    a much broader word that covers taking anything from anyone without permission; embezzle is a specific type of stealing that involves a position of trust

反義詞
  • safeguard

    to protect money or property that is in your care

  • manage honestly

    to handle entrusted funds correctly and transparently

文法句型

embezzle + noun phrase (the thing stolen)

embezzle + amount + from + organization

用法筆記

Embezzle is only used for stealing from an organization or person who trusted you with their money or property as part of your work duties. It does not apply to ordinary theft from strangers, shops, or private homes.

常見錯誤

❌The thief embezzled a wallet from a tourist's bag.
✅The thief stole a wallet from a tourist's bag.
💡Embezzle requires a position of trust; ordinary theft is simply steal.
❌He embezzled money from the bank where his friend worked.
✅He embezzled money from the bank where he worked.
💡Embezzle applies only to the money you yourself were responsible for, not money managed by someone else.