Which verb means to take money or property deceitfully?

The verb that means to take money or property deceitfully is "embezzle." Embezzlement specifically refers to the act of wrongfully taking or misappropriating funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer. This typically involves a betrayal of trust and is often associated with financial crimes where someone in a position of authority or responsibility misuses their access to resources for personal gain.

In contrast, while "acquire," "pilfer," and "gain" may involve obtaining something, they do not necessarily convey the deceitful or dishonest connotations associated with embezzlement. "Acquire" refers to gaining possession of something in general, "pilfer" typically means to steal items of relatively low value in a casual way, and "gain" is a broad term that indicates an increase or obtaining something without implying any dishonesty. Thus, embezzlement is the most accurate term for the act of deceitfully taking money or property.