misalignment

noun

mis·​align·​ment ˌmis-ə-ˈlīn-mənt 

plural misalignments

: the condition of being out of correct position or improperly adjusted : bad or incorrect alignment

Over time, because of damage and wear, typewriters develop faults and misalignments that render their typescript unique.

—Laney Salisbury et al.

… overuse injuries are all too often the consequence of poor technique or misalignment of body parts.

—Jane E. Brody

Examples of misalignment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If inventory misalignments and bloated lead times are the central financial drains on modern retail, Seth argues that the root cause is rarely found on the shop floor. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026

Where Misalignment Quietly Takes Hold The most damaging form of misalignment is rarely an open disagreement. — Abdulrahman Hammad, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

As for headlight alignment, the higher intensities and contrasts of LED lights mean greater sensitivity to misalignment than halogen lights. — Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026

However, some experts question whether one of these, the safeguards against misalignment for large-scale internal deployment, have been properly implemented. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for misalignment

• nonalignment
• realignment
• reassignment
• reconsignment
• alignment
• alinement
• assignment
• confinement
• consignment
• refinement