peculation
4 synonyms for peculation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — (law) The dishonest taking of public or shared money or property by someone trusted to look after it.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Comes from Latin pecūlātiō (“embezzlement”), from pecūlor (“to defraud the public”), which is related to pecūlium (“property in cattle, private property”), from pecū (“cattle, money”).
Full origin of peculation →