displaced

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "displaced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who has been forced or obliged to leave their home. Example sentence: The war caused thousands of people to be displaced from their homes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It said: "Due to differences in reporting by our sources, in some cases our new displacement figures reflect the total number of people displaced during the year, whereas in others they reflect only the number of people that remained in displacement at the year's end".

The Guardian

The displaced groups were expected to be living in the tents for up to eight weeks and authorities won't know until Cyclone Nathan has passed whether damage caused is likely to extend that.

The Guardian

Here, the Bond glitz was displaced by Saltzman's other favoured ethos, kitchen sink realism, and some kind of 60s circle was made complete.

The Guardian - Film

Amnesty says that half the city's population have been displaced by "a campaign of indiscriminate air bombardment by government forces, which have also reduced entire areas to rubble and killed and maimed countless civilians".

The Guardian

The presumption for or against bail can be displaced by evidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

The threat of violence from new and ongoing conflicts displaced 11 million people inside their own countries in 2014, bringing the total number of internally displaced people (IDPs) worldwide to 38 million, a report has said.

The Guardian

The civil war, which shows no signs of abating, has cost the lives of more than 200,000 people; left nine million internally displaced and 3.8 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

The Guardian

From the distant steps of the newly opened war monument it didn't so much resemble a double-sided statue as a displaced Besser brick – an odd disjunctive barrier to the eye following the otherwise unbroken land axis.

The Guardian

Hundreds of thousands of other Iraqis have been displaced from western and central Iraq in a mass movement of people that rivals the worst years of Iraq's civil war.

The Guardian

Upskilling the Iraqi security forces in this area will allow them to clear territory safely and return it to local people who have been displaced".

The Guardian

In Adamawa state, ringed by the mountainous hideouts used by Boko Haram, schools, mosques, homes and churches like Kwairanga's have become shelters for the displaced.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "displaced" to describe not only people, but abstract ideas/concepts as well. This helps to capture the dynamic between entities that compete for prominence. For example, in scientific discussion, a theory might be displaced by a better one.

Common error

Don't simply state that people are "displaced" without specifying what caused them to be displaced or where they were displaced from. Providing this information adds crucial context and impact to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "displaced" functions primarily as a past participle adjective, modifying nouns to describe people or things that have been moved from their original location or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the examples showcase its role in describing people forced to leave their homes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "displaced" is a versatile term primarily used as a past participle adjective, indicating a state of being moved or forced from one's home or position. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's widely used in news and media to describe people affected by conflict, disaster, or economic factors. While grammatically correct and commonly used, clarity is enhanced by providing context on the cause and location of displacement. Alternatives like ""forced to relocate"" or "uprooted" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relocated against their will

Explicitly states that the relocation was not voluntary.

forced to relocate

Emphasizes the element of compulsion in the act of moving.

compelled to leave

Stresses the lack of choice in the departure.

driven from their homes

Highlights the cause of displacement as an external force.

uprooted

Implies a disruption of stability and roots.

dislodged

Suggests being removed from a settled position.

evicted

Suggests a legal or formal removal from a residence.

dispossessed

Indicates the loss of property or possessions, including a home.

made homeless

Focuses on the outcome of being without a home.

refugees

Identifies those displaced as seeking refuge elsewhere.

FAQs

How can I use "displaced" in a sentence?

You can use "displaced" to describe individuals or groups forced to leave their homes due to conflict, disaster, or other circumstances. For example, "The flood "forced to relocate" thousands of people."

What is a more formal alternative to "displaced"?

In formal writing, consider using "relocated against their will" or "compelled to leave" to emphasize the involuntary nature of the movement.

What's the difference between "displaced" and "dislodged"?

"Displaced" typically refers to a larger-scale movement of people from their homes, often due to external factors. "Dislodged" can refer to any removal from a settled position, not necessarily involving a home or large population.

When is it appropriate to use "uprooted" instead of "displaced"?

"Uprooted" emphasizes the disruption and loss of connection to a place or community, whereas "displaced" simply indicates movement from a home or region. It’s suitable when highlighting the emotional and social impact.