derailed; derailing; derails
1
: to cause to run off the rails
2
a
: to obstruct the progress of : frustrate
security problems derailed the tour
b
: to upset the stability or composure of
divorce … can seriously derail an employee—
Joanne Gordon
Joanne Gordon
: to leave the rails
Examples of derail in a Sentence
The train derailed in heavy snow.
The train was derailed by heavy snow.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, what separates successful students from those who are derailed by disappointment is their ability to pivot quickly and strategically.
—Sarah Hernholm, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
This will test the Jonathan Majors bodybuilding psychodrama that debuted at Sundance in 2023 but was derailed by abuse accusations against its star after winning the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision and a distribution deal with Searchlight Pictures, which dropped it.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025
Which in the 64-team field will have a Cinderella story, and which will become the team that derails your bracket?
—Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
But injuries derailed that plan, and Jenkins missed most of his rookie season after having back surgery.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
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Sarah Hernholm, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
This will test the Jonathan Majors bodybuilding psychodrama that debuted at Sundance in 2023 but was derailed by abuse accusations against its star after winning the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision and a distribution deal with Searchlight Pictures, which dropped it.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025
Which in the 64-team field will have a Cinderella story, and which will become the team that derails your bracket?
—Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
But injuries derailed that plan, and Jenkins missed most of his rookie season after having back surgery.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derail. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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