disbursed

Definition

The fancy financial way of saying money actually left the account and went somewhere else, as opposed to being promised, allocated, or trapped in bureaucratic purgatory. It's the moment when funds stop being theoretical and become someone else's problem or pleasure. Government agencies and large organizations love this word because it makes spending sound more sophisticated.

Example Usage

The grant money was finally disbursed after six months of paperwork, approximately three months after the nonprofit had given up hope.

Source: Accounting and finance terminology

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