Misappropriation of funds (12)

Latest answer — September 18, 2026

3 Down

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Clue explained

EMBEZZLEMENT is the misappropriation of money or property entrusted to someone, especially funds taken by an employee. The noun names the act described by the clue.

Clue type:
Definition
Financial documents illustrating the investigation of misappropriated funds

Guardian Quick Crossword

This clue's Friday, September 18, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Hi-tech (5-3)
  2. 5Surgery cleaner? (4)
  3. 9Baby dove, e.g. (5)
  4. 10Unauthorised (7)
  5. 11Showiness (6-6)
  6. 13Biological circle - ale oar (anag) (6)
  7. 14Hush-hush (6)
  8. 17Person-carrying-person technique (8,4)
  9. 20Non-nocturnal? (7)
  10. 21Prey - bounty - accolade (5)
  11. 22Glare (4)
  12. 23Like some examiners - ten relax (anag) (8)

Down

  1. 1Waisted cloth? (4)
  2. 2Worship (7)
  3. 3Misappropriation of funds (12)
  4. 4Chalice, eg (6)
  5. 6Strauss's steps? (5)
  6. 7Strasbourg stick? (8)
  7. 8Where day suddenly turns to darkness (5,7)
  8. 12Spring bloomer (8)
  9. 15Punk (7)
  10. 16Arrival (of people or things) (6)
  11. 18Make-up (5)
  12. 19Fervour (4)

The answer to “Misappropriation of funds (12)” in the The Guardian Quick crossword is EMBEZZLEMENT — a 12-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 18, 2026, a Friday puzzle, at 3-Down. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Misappropriation of funds (12)” answer

EMBEZZLEMENT (12 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is EMBEZZLEMENT.

What does EMBEZZLEMENT mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of EMBEZZLEMENT is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(noun)

  • theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer

When else has “Misappropriation of funds (12)” appeared?

The Guardian Quick reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

September 18, 2026 (most recent) → EMBEZZLEMENT. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Misappropriation of funds (12)”?

The answer is EMBEZZLEMENT, a 12-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 18, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Misappropriation of funds (12)”?

12 letters: EMBEZZLEMENT.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 18, 2026 (a Friday puzzle), at 3-Down.

Can “Misappropriation of funds (12)” have a different answer?

Yes — The Guardian Quick sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's Guardian Quick answers?

The full grid for September 18, 2026 is on the Guardian Quick answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

The Guardian Quick Crossword is published by The Guardian; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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