displaced
diss-PLAYST
/dɪsˈpleɪst/
Forced to leave one's home, region, or traditional habitat due to war, natural disaster, economic upheaval, or urban redevelopment.
Highlights external force or involuntary migration, distinguishing victims of circumstance from voluntary migrants.
The story behind the word. From Old French 'desplacer', combining Latin 'dis-' (away, apart) with 'placer' (to position, from 'platea' meaning open space). It literally means to remove someone or something from its rightful place.
Word relationships
- uprooted: Uprooted emphasizes emotional and cultural severance from one's home, while displaced is the official demographic term.
- evicted: Evicted refers specifically to legal expulsion from a property, whereas displaced covers broader causes like war or flooding.
- settled: Settled individuals live permanently in an established location.
Commonly confused with
- replaced: Replaced means substituted with another item, while displaced means forced out of position or home.
Word family
- displacement (noun): The forced removal of people from their home or region.
- displace (verb): To force someone or something to move from its home or proper position.
Collocations
- internally displaced persons
- displaced workers
- displaced families
Example sentences
- "The United Nations provided emergency supplies to millions of internally displaced persons." Global Affairs
- "Gentrifcation in the historic district left many long-time residents displaced." Urban Development
Memory hook
DIS-PLACED = Away from your PLACE. Pushed away from your place.
When not to use
Do not use for someone who moved voluntarily for a new job or lifestyle choice.
Fun facts
- The UN term 'Internally Displaced Person' (IDP) differs from 'refugee' because IDPs remain within their country's national borders.
Related words
Explore more words
displacement, refugee, upheaval, resettlement, exile, migrate
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