Master confusing words with ease
Displace vs. Misplace
Displace
/dɪsˈpleɪs/Examples:
New lists continually displaced the old ones.The storm displaced thousands of residents from their homes.Migrations often displace local traditions and customs.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Misplace
/ˌmɪsˈpleɪs/Examples:
I often misplace my keys in the morning rush.Her habit to misplace documents caused several delays.He tends to misplace items when distracted.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Displace often involves an external force causing the movement, while misplace is usually about personal error.
- Think of dis in displace as standing for different because something is moved to a different location.
- Misplace has mis- which indicates a mistake or error, as in a misunderstanding or misinterpretation.
- Displace can imply a more permanent removal, whereas misplace suggests temporary and accidental misplacement.
- Remember that misplace often involves a sense of anxiety or confusion on finding the item, unlike displace which is more neutral or intentional.
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