Misalign: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when something is not in the correct position or alignment, often in a mechanical or technical context.

• The printer's rollers are misaligned and causing paper jams.
• The two pieces of the puzzle were misaligned, so they didn't fit together properly.

Used when something is moved from its original or usual place, often used in contexts involving movement of objects or people.

• The flood displaced hundreds of families.
• He displaced the vase accidentally while cleaning the table.

Refers to a lack of order or organization, often used to describe a chaotic state. May have a negative connotation.

• The office was in complete disorder after the meeting.
• The disease caused a disorder in his neurological system.

Refers to an alteration that makes something look, sound, or seem different from its usual form. Often has a negative connotation.

• The mirror distorted my reflection, making me look taller.
• The news report distorted the facts, causing public outrage.

Used when elements or parts are not in their expected alignment or do not match perfectly. Common in technical, mechanical, or physical settings.

• The gears were misaligned, causing the machine to malfunction
• His spine was misaligned, leading to back pain

Used for situations where an object is put in the wrong place, often leading to it being lost or causing inconvenience. It can have a slightly negative connotation.

• She was frustrated by the misplacement of her keys, making her late for work
• The misplacement of the critical file caused a project delay

Indicates that elements are not arranged in the correct sequence or order. This term is less common and might be used in more specific contexts like planning or organizing data.

• The misarrangement of the musical notes rendered the piece unplayable
• His misarrangement of the documents resulted in confusion during the meeting

Refers to the incorrect setting or tuning of a device, parameter, or configuration. Often used in mechanical, electronic, or system contexts.

• The thermostat's misadjustment led to uncomfortable room temperatures
• Due to misadjustment of the instruments, the experiment results were inaccurate