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

For whatever reasons, De Niro once again misplaces his sense of American virtue. —Armond White, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025

This wasn’t just misplacing my phone and keys like most moms do—remember how Victoria can’t remember meeting Kate at a baby shower? —Cristina Tudino, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025

Gordon went on to be one of the most famous advocates for gay rights in American history, and his story is one of many who learned that their hate was misplaced. —Big Think, 19 Mar. 2025

Anyone would be upset in this situation, but Moore ‘s anger is misplaced and could easily be read as jealousy. —Jasmine Browley, Essence, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for misplace

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase

Kids Definition

misplace

verb

mis·​place (ˈ)mis-ˈplās 

1

: to put in a wrong place

2

: mislay

misplacement noun