misplace

[ mis-pleys ]

verb (used with object)

, mis·placed, mis·plac·ing.

1. to put in a wrong place.
2. to put in a place afterward forgotten; lose; mislay.
3. to place or bestow improperly, unsuitably, or unwisely:

   to misplace one's trust.

   Synonyms: misapply

misplace

/ ˌmɪsˈpleɪs /

verb

1. to put (something) in the wrong place, esp to lose (something) temporarily by forgetting where it was placed; mislay
2. often passive to bestow (trust, confidence, affection, etc) unadvisedly

Derived Forms

• ˌmisˈplacement, noun

Other Words From

• mis·placement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misplace¹

First recorded in 1545–55; mis- ¹ + place

Synonym Study

See displace.

Example Sentences

But Weinberg’s 1985 barely known gloomy opera is also a profound demonstration of how and why misplaced power can destroy society.

From Los Angeles Times

It was not until the following day that one of the team spotted the bright pink object - borrowed by the worker after he misplaced his own phone - frozen in the middle of the rink.

From BBC

He is facing a felony charge of destroying or misplacing a ballot and a misdemeanor charge of theft.

From Salon

Their motives were “honorable but misplaced, pressuring those two girls to the point where they really didn’t want to talk to us anymore,” Freyer said.

From Los Angeles Times

It is a worrying thing to misplace your kneecap.

From BBC

Related Words

• confuse
• disorganize
• disturb
• unsettle