misalign

/ˌmɪs.əˈlaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌmɪs.əˈlaɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌmis-ə-ˈlīn/ (ame, mw)

misalign — verb

  • misalignpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • misaligns3rd person singular
  • misaligning-ing form
  • misalignedpast simple

1. to assemble two or more fitted components in the wrong position, so the machine

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to assemble two or more fitted components in the wrong position, so the machine or device no longer runs smoothly.

例句

Christopher accidentally misaligned the gears, and the conveyor belt stopped moving across the factory floor.

transitive: misalign + [machine part]

Tariq realised the mechanic had misaligned the front wheels after the car began pulling to the left.

passive construction: had misaligned

同義詞
  • misadjust

    more technical; emphasises setting rather than position

  • throw off

    informal; broader, often used for plans as well as machinery

反義詞
  • align

    to fit parts together in the correct position

  • calibrate

    to adjust a machine so it works precisely

文法句型

misalign + [object]

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person, force, or event that disturbs a mechanical assembly. Object names the part or system being thrown out of position (gears, wheels, rollers, supports).

常見錯誤

❌The cake recipe was misaligned with the timer.
✅The cake recipe did not match the timer.
💡'misalign' needs physical parts that fit together, not abstract instructions.

2. to put two or more things into positions, directions, or relationships that do n

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to put two or more things into positions, directions, or relationships that do not match up the way they should.

例句

Andrei rotated the screen because the photo frame had been misaligned with the wall edge.

passive: be misaligned with

The new pay scale misaligned junior salaries with the market rate by nearly twenty percent.

abstract object: salaries / rates

同義詞
  • mismatch

    stresses the lack of fit between two items, not the act of placing them

  • skew

    suggests a slight tilt away from a correct angle or value

反義詞
  • align

    to place two things into the correct matching position

  • synchronise

    to make two things happen or move together at the same time

文法句型

misalign + [object]

be misaligned with

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense covers any two things — physical objects, numbers, goals, policies — that should match or correspond but no longer do. Sense 1 is restricted to fitted mechanical parts.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher misaligned the homework.
✅The teacher misaligned the homework deadlines with the exam schedule.
💡'misalign' needs two related things; you cannot misalign just one item on its own.