What is wrongful appropriation of another's personal property called?

The term that describes the wrongful appropriation of another's personal property is "conversion." This legal concept refers to an act where someone takes or uses someone else's property without authorization, thereby interfering with the owner's rights to control and enjoy that property. Conversion can occur through various actions, such as using someone else's belongings without permission, retaining possession of property that was borrowed, or misusing the property in a way that is detrimental to the owner.

In contrast, larceny specifically refers to the act of unlawfully taking someone else's property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it, which emphasizes the element of theft rather than mere appropriation. Trespass involves entering someone's property without consent, which is different from taking possession of personal property. Embezzlement pertains to the misappropriation of funds or property entrusted to someone’s care, which is a unique form of theft but may not encompass all acts of conversion related to personal property. Therefore, conversion directly describes the wrongful appropriation of another's personal property.