verb
- to steal or misuse money that one is responsible for, especially funds entrusted to one’s care
Usage: formal; legal
Examples
- The treasurer defalcates funds from the charity organization.
- She was accused of defalcating thousands of dollars from client accounts.
- The investigation revealed that he defalcates money regularly over several years.
- Bank employees who defalcate customer deposits face serious criminal charges.
- The audit discovered that the manager defalcates petty cash for personal use.
- Anyone who defalcates public funds will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.