displace

Pronunciation: /dɪsˈpleɪs/

verb

Difficulty: common

Definition of displace

To forcefully move something or someone from its original or usual place, often causing disruption or replacement.

Origin of displace

Language of origin: Middle French

Root word: desplacer

Original meaning: to remove from a place

How it evolved: The term evolved from meaning the simple act of moving an object to also include figurative displacement, such as forcing people or ideas out of their established positions.

Derived from Middle French 'desplacer' and Latin roots, the word originally meant 'to move something out of position.'

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember displace

Think of 'dis-' as 'away' and 'place' as a position. Displace means to move something away from its place.

Synonyms for displace

Antonyms of displace

displace in a Sentence

  1. The construction of the dam will displace thousands of villagers, forcing them to relocate to unfamiliar areas.
  2. Technological advancements have the potential to displace traditional jobs, reshaping the employment landscape.
  3. The hurricane's strong winds managed to displace large boulders from the cliffside, scattering them across the beach.

displace in Literature & Culture

In literature, 'displace' is often used to explore themes of exile, loss, or societal change, such as in narratives about migration or colonization.

Usage Notes

Displace often has a negative connotation when referring to people or communities, implying force or unwillingness. It can also describe abstract concepts, such as replacing ideas or systems.

Why displace Matters for GRE & SAT

This word is commonly tested on the GRE because of its versatility in describing physical, emotional, and abstract shifts—critical for analytical writing and reading comprehension.

Word Family

displacement (noun)
The act or state of being moved from a usual or original position.
displacer (noun)
A person or thing that causes displacement.
displacing (verb)
The act of moving or shifting something from its place.

Did You Know?

  • The concept of displacement is central to physics, where it refers to the shortest distance between an object’s initial and final positions.
  • In psychology, displacement is a defense mechanism where an individual redirects emotions from a threatening target to a safer substitute.
  • The term gained prominence during discussions of refugee crises, where it highlights the large-scale movement of people due to war or natural disasters.
  • disrupt
  • supplant
  • daunting — scary or frightening; (of a task) seeming impossible
  • dawdle — move slowly and without purpose
  • dearth — A scarcity or lack of something
  • debate — A formal discussion on a particular topic
  • debilitate — To make someone weak and infirm

More Vocabulary Words Starting with D

  • daunting — scary or frightening; (of a task) seeming impossible
  • daunting — scary or frightening; (of a task) seeming impossible
  • dawdle — move slowly and without purpose
  • dawdle — move slowly and without purpose
  • dearth — A scarcity or lack of something
  • dearth — lack of something in a particular area
  • dearth — lack of something in a particular area
  • debate — A formal discussion on a particular topic
  • debate — A formal discussion on a particular topic
  • debilitate — To make someone weak and infirm