What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
misalignment
Example
The misalignment of the gears caused the machine to malfunction. [misalignment: noun]
Example
The printer was producing blurry prints due to a misaligned cartridge. [misaligned: adjective]
displacement
Example
The displacement of the furniture made the room look more spacious. [displacement: noun]
Example
The flood caused the displacement of many families from their homes. [displacement: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Displacement is more commonly used than misalignment in everyday language. Displacement is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while misalignment is more technical and specific.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between misalignment and displacement?
Both misalignment and displacement can be used in technical or scientific contexts, but misalignment is more formal and technical in tone, while displacement can be used in both formal and informal contexts.