Malplaced

The adjective 'malplaced' describes something that is positioned or situated in an inappropriate, unsuitable, or incorrect location. It suggests a lack of consideration for aesthetics, functionality, or context. The implication is that the item or object would be better off somewhere else. Malplacement can apply to physical objects, abstract concepts, or even people in certain situations, highlighting a mismatch between where something is and where it should ideally be located or expressed. The consequence of malplacement might range from a minor inconvenience to a significant problem, depending on the item or action involved.

Malplaced meaning with examples

• The artist noticed that the painting was malplaced; it was hung in a dimly lit hallway, obscuring its vibrant colors and intricate details. It belonged in the bright, spacious living room where it could be fully appreciated by anyone who entered the house. This diminished its aesthetic potential, an undesirable consequence.
• The construction crew realized that the foundational support beam was malplaced, which would compromise the structural integrity of the building. The beam needed to be moved immediately or the building would be unstable, posing a serious safety risk to the future residents of the house.
• The manager felt that the new employee was malplaced in the marketing department; his skills were better suited for a technical role. The placement of the employee did not reflect an appropriate utilization of the employee's talents, to the detriment of all concerned at this new company.
• The historian noted that the ancient artifact was malplaced within the museum exhibit; it was displayed alongside items from a completely different time period, confusing visitors. This disjointed presentation provided inaccurate historical context, and confused the flow of the history lessons.
• The software engineer found the semicolon was malplaced, causing a critical error and preventing the program from running correctly. It was in the wrong line of code, making the functionality impossible for the software to work correctly or be run.