Peculate

v. i.

1.

To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public; to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle. [imp. & p. p. Peculated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Peculating.] An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating despotism. - Burke.

Verb

1.

peculate - 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" Synonyms: defalcate, embezzle, malversate, misappropriate

abuse, befoul, convert, debase, defalcate, defile, desecrate, divert, embezzle, foul, maladminister, misapply, misappropriate, misemploy, mishandle, mismanage, misuse, pervert, pilfer, pollute, profane, prostitute, violate