Word
displace
Meanings
to move something from its usual place or position
to replace something as the main or most important thing
to force people to leave their homes, especially because of conflict or a disaster
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Definition
To displace something is to move it from its usual position or replace it with something else.
To displace means to push, move, or force something out of where it normally is. It can also mean to replace one thing, person, or method with another that becomes more important or widely used. In some contexts, it refers to people being forced to leave their homes because of conflict or disaster. The verb often highlights a change caused by an outside force or new development.
Examples
- The impact was strong enough to displace several tiles on the roof.
- I worried that the new software would displace my team’s preferred workflow overnight.
- After the floodwaters rose, they had to displace hundreds of residents to temporary shelters.
- She tried not to displace her frustration onto colleagues during the meeting.
- You can’t displace years of experience with a single impressive presentation.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse displace with replace and use it when no movement or forcing-out idea is intended.
More at C1 level
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More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.