misalignment

noun

mis·​align·​ment ˌmis-ə-ˈlīn-mənt How to pronounce misalignment (audio)
plural misalignments
: the condition of being out of correct position or improperly adjusted : bad or incorrect alignment
Over time, because of damage and wear, typewriters develop faults and misalignments that render their typescript unique.—Laney Salisbury et al.
… overuse injuries are all too often the consequence of poor technique or misalignment of body parts.—Jane E. Brody

Examples of misalignment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That misalignment risked inconsistent enforcement and citation disputes, Flowers said. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026 Yes, old pillows that don’t provide proper support can lead to body pain or misalignment. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 Alignment with investors is crucial; misalignment can anchor growth. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The radar operators were able to observe the manipulations including deliberate misalignment of timestamps. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misalignment

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of misalignment was in 1870

Rhymes for misalignment

See All Rhymes for misalignment

Browse Nearby Words

misalign
misalignment
misalliance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Misalignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misalignment. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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