əmˈbɛzəl ˌmɪs.əˈpɹəʊ.pɹɪ.eɪt ˌmɪs.əˈpɹoʊ.pɹi.eɪt 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