misplace

verb

mis·​place ˌmis-ˈplās How to pronounce misplace (audio)
misplaced; misplacing; misplaces

transitive verb

1
a
: to put in a wrong or inappropriate place
misplace a comma
b
: mislay
misplaced the keys
2
: to set on a wrong object or eventuality
his trust had been misplaced
misplacement noun

Examples of misplace in a Sentence

I seem to have misplaced my keys.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unfair Expectations of Parents Make the Situation Worse That being said, parents’ anxiety that they will be judged for a crying baby is not misplaced. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 2 Sep. 2025 Her friend agreed, but the dress was somehow misplaced in the years that followed. Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025 Learn From Mistakes Even the best writers misplace a comma now and then. Jason Richmond, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025 Likewise, the belief that North Korea’s increasing closeness with Russia will rupture Beijing’s relationship with Pyongyang is misplaced. Shuxian Luo, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misplace

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of misplace was in 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misplace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misplace. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

misplace

verb
mis·​place (ˈ)mis-ˈplās How to pronounce misplace (audio)
1
: to put in a wrong place
2
: mislay
misplacement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on misplace

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!