misplace

verb

mis·​place ˌmis-ˈplās 

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

ˌmis-ˈplās-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• lose
• mislay

Examples of misplace in a Sentence

I seem to have misplaced my keys.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hopes and fears that production would soon peak and result in a reduction in consumption and emissions appear just as misplaced now as so many times over the past half century. —Michael Lynch, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

According to Australia’s captain, the former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion Lleyton Hewitt, that hope was misplaced. —Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024

He was charged with theft and destroying or misplacing a ballot. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Dedicate one more bin for more obscure items, like fabric tablecloths and duvet covers, that tend to get misplaced amongst other linens on closet shelves. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

misplace

verb

mis·​place (ˈ)mis-ˈplās 

1

: to put in a wrong place

2

: mislay

misplacement noun