verb
- to steal or misappropriate money or property entrusted to one’s care, especially public funds
Usage: formal; legal
Examples
- The treasurer was accused of peculating funds from the charity.
- Government officials who peculate public money face serious criminal charges.
- The audit revealed that someone had been peculating from the pension fund.
- She was fired for peculating office supplies and petty cash.
- The investigation found evidence that he had peculated thousands of dollars.
- Bank employees who peculate customer deposits violate their fiduciary duty.