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.
The Trade Numbers Fundamentally, the fixation on the trade deficit is misplaced. Ivan Illan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Yet the Brazilian proceeded to show how Pereira’s faith was misplaced, first with a stroppy performance at Chelsea that prompted his head coach to publicly criticise his body language and then with his second violent meltdown of the season, against Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez in the FA Cup. Steve Madeley, New York Times, 28 May 2025 The guilt may not be entirely misplaced—especially among higher income people in developed countries. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 June 2025 The moral panic was misplaced, but not unusual—part of a long national tradition of culture wars waged under the pretense of politics. Alan Siegel, The Atlantic, 11 June 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 5 Jul. 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
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