Mislocated

To be in an incorrect or inappropriate position or place. This often implies that an item, person, or information has been placed somewhere other than its intended or expected location, causing inconvenience, confusion, or hindering a desired outcome. The term highlights the error in placement and the resulting displacement from its proper or desired spot. It focuses on the flaw in positioning rather than other associated issues or causes of said flaws, although it is intrinsically associated.

Mislocated meaning with examples

• The archaeologist felt exasperated when the ancient artifact was found mislocated; it should've been in the tomb's center, based on their maps. This mislocation suggested a possible disturbance or theft in antiquity, disrupting his careful research and requiring a reassessment of the site. The mislocation complicated his original theories of the site.
• After the office renovation, many documents were mislocated in the filing system. Searching for key contracts became a frustrating exercise, delaying project timelines and straining relationships with clients. The misplaced papers forced staff to sift through multiple file drawers to locate the correct paperwork.
• During the move, the movers mislocated our furniture. The sofa, intended for the living room, ended up in the garage, and our dining table was mistakenly placed in the spare bedroom. This required some rearrangement and, for the moment, disrupted our ability to settle into our new home.
• The GPS system provided the ambulance with mislocated coordinates for the accident. Consequently, valuable time was wasted, potentially jeopardizing the patient's survival. The mislocation of the accident scene by the GPS added significantly to the danger of the whole operation.
• The detective discovered evidence in the case had been deliberately mislocated to mislead investigators, casting suspicion and frustration within the team. This manipulation served to divert attention from the actual culprits and hinder the progress of the investigation, resulting in an investigation that would likely be more complicated.