Displace — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /(ˌ)dis-ˈplās/ dis·place

Meaning & Definition of Displace

Displace (verb)

  1. to remove from the usual or proper place; specifically, to expel or force to flee from home or homeland
  2. to remove from an office, status, or job
  3. to drive out, banish

Displace (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to change the place or position of

    "the slight tremor displaced the dishes on the shelves, but didn't do any real damage"

    similar: budge, dislocate, disturb, move, relocate, remove, reposition, shift, transfer, transpose
    related: bear, carry, cart, convey, drive, haul, lug, tote, transmit, transplant, transport, replace, supersede, supplant, alter, make over, modify, redo, refashion, remake, remodel, revamp, revise, rework, vary
    near: anchor, fix, freeze, moor, secure, set, stabilize, embed, entrench, implant, ingrain, lodge, root

  2. to force to leave a country

    "World War II displaced people all over Europe"

    similar: banish, deport, exile, expatriate, relegate, transport
    related: cast out, dismiss, eject, eliminate, evict, exclude, expel, expulse, kick out, oust, run out, throw out, excommunicate, ostracize, reject, repudiate, spurn, dispossess
    near: naturalize, repatriate, accept, admit, receive, take in, entertain, harbor, house, shelter

  3. to take the place of

    "inefficient methods displaced by newer ones"

    similar: cut out, displant, relieve, replace, substitute, supersede, supplant
    related: preempt, usurp

  4. to remove from a position of prominence or power (as a throne)

    "the CEO was summarily displaced after the hostile takeover"

    similar: defrock, depose, deprive, dethrone, oust, uncrown, unmake, unseat, unthrone
    related: can, cashier, discharge, dismiss, fire, muster out, remove, retire, sack, overthrow, subvert, supplant, topple, usurp, banish, boot (out), bounce, cast out, chase, drum (out), eject, expel, extrude, rout, run off, throw out
    opposite: crown, enthrone, throne
    near: baptize, inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, invest, appoint, designate, elect

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Displace

The most common words with a similar meaning to Displace:

budge, dislocate, disturb, move, relocate, remove, reposition, shift, transfer, transpose, banish, deport, exile, expatriate, relegate, transport, cut out, displant, relieve, replace, substitute, supersede, supplant, defrock, depose, deprive, dethrone, oust, uncrown, unmake, unseat, unthrone

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Displace

Words with the opposite meaning of Displace:

crown, enthrone, throne

Related Words for Displace

bear, carry, cart, convey, drive, haul, lug, tote, transmit, transplant, alter, make over, modify, redo, refashion, remake, remodel, revamp, revise, rework, vary, cast out, dismiss, eject, eliminate, evict, exclude, expel, expulse, kick out

Near Antonyms of Displace

anchor, fix, freeze, moor, secure, set, stabilize, embed, entrench, implant, ingrain, lodge, root, naturalize, repatriate, accept, admit, receive, take in, entertain, harbor, house, shelter, baptize, inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, invest

Word Forms of Displace

Inflections: displaced, displacing, displaces

Derived words: displaceable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Displace

probably from Middle French desplacer, from des- dis- + place place

First known use: 1549

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Displace

Frequently Asked Questions about Displace

What does "Displace" mean?

"Displace" means to remove from the usual or proper place; specifically, to expel or force to flee from home or homeland. As a verb, it is defined as: to remove from the usual or proper place; specifically, to expel or force to flee from home or homeland. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Displace"?

Other words for "Displace" include budge, dislocate, disturb, move, relocate, remove, reposition and shift. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Displace" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Displace"?

There are 89 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Displace". Common alternatives include budge, dislocate, disturb, move, relocate, remove, reposition, shift, transfer and transpose.

What is the opposite of "Displace"?

Antonyms of "Displace" include crown, enthrone and throne. Near antonyms include anchor, fix, freeze and moor.

How do you use "Displace" in a sentence?

Examples of "Displace" in a sentence: "the slight tremor displaced the dishes on the shelves, but didn't do any real damage"; "World War II displaced people all over Europe"; "inefficient methods displaced by newer ones".

Is "Displace" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Displace" is a verb.

Is "Displace" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Displace" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Displace"?

"Displace" is pronounced /(ˌ)dis-ˈplās/ and divided into syllables as dis·place.