From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Embezzle \Em*bez"zle\ ([e^]m*b[e^]z"z'l), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Embezzled} ([e^]m*b[e^]z"z'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Embezzling}.] [Norm. F. embeseiller to destroy; cf. OF. besillier to ill treat, ravage, destroy. Cf. {Bezzle}.]
1. To appropriate fraudulently to one's own use, as property intrusted to one's care; to apply to one's private uses by a breach of trust; as, to embezzle money held in trust.
2. To misappropriate; to waste; to dissipate in extravagance. [Obs.]
To embezzle our money in drinking or gaming. --Sharp.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
verb
1: appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use; "The accountant embezzled thousands of dollars while working for the wealthy family" [syn: {defalcate}, {peculate}, {misappropriate}, {malversate}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
57 Moby Thesaurus words for "embezzle": abstract, abuse, and, annex, appropriate, bag, befoul, boost, borrow, convert, cop, crib, debase, defalcate, defile, defraud, desecrate, divert, extort, filch, foul, hook, lift, loot, make off with, maladminister, misapply, misappropriate, misemploy, mishandle, mismanage, misuse, nip, palm, peculate, pervert, pilfer, pinch, poach, pollute, profane, prostitute, purloin, run away with, rustle, scrounge, shoplift, snare, snatch, snitch, steal, swindle, swipe, take, thieve, violate, walk off with
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