as in to distract
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
according to police, the suspect had been derailed in recent months by mounting financial problems
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Recent Examples of derail
Some moments derail the momentum, while others need to have the voltage upped.
—
Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
An internal memo from the Social Security Administration proposes changes to its phone service that could derail the benefits application process for many Americans.
—Emily Peck, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
Yet a guilty verdict threatened to derail the career of a hip-hop A-lister who in some ways had already moved on from music.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2025
Be prepared for a communication breakdown — text messages may not make it to the right person, your plans may get completely derailed and all that fiery energy might translate into unnecessary confrontations or snap decisions.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
An internal memo from the Social Security Administration proposes changes to its phone service that could derail the benefits application process for many Americans.
—Emily Peck, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
Yet a guilty verdict threatened to derail the career of a hip-hop A-lister who in some ways had already moved on from music.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2025
Be prepared for a communication breakdown — text messages may not make it to the right person, your plans may get completely derailed and all that fiery energy might translate into unnecessary confrontations or snap decisions.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
Verb
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Just this week, Chinese auto giant BYD made headlines around the world by topping Tesla in launching time-saving EV battery charger technology, while Tesla CEO Elon Musk was distracted with his high-profile political role in Washington.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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The mom's reassurances do very little to distract him...—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Crimping is the process of severing a crop at the base and laying it over to create a decomposing thatch/mulch layer for the garden without disturbing the soil.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2025
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Over more than 1,000 pages, the report details disturbing trends of political manipulation and growing corruption as well as increasing harassment of journalists and restrictions on free speech provisions.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU Will Campbell has fallen a bit due to his shorter arm length, but that likely won't bother Ben Johnson.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Mar. 2025
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Because Congress never bothered to write a law to establish it.—
Jay Cost,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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According to Schwartz, the Sierra Nevada saw above-average snowfall over the previous two water years, so there’s no reason to worry about the slight drop in snowfall in 2025.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacramento Bee,
21 Mar. 2025
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Rubio’s visit comes as leaders grow increasingly concerned about the quickly deteriorating security situation in Haiti, which threatens to spill over into the region, and several worrying U.S. policy shifts that stand to have negative effects on their vulnerable economies.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This abuse of immigration law should alarm us all, citizens and noncitizens alike.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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In response to Saturday's exchange of fire, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, said it was alarmed by the possible escalation of violence in the area.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This was concerning and also shocking because no one likes him.—
The Totally Football Show,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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They shouldn’t be concerned that their AI interactions might be monitored.—
David Gucker,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The back-and-forth has unsettled some business owners, in the view of Leah Toeniskoetter, president of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2025
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However, his tariffs are unsettling global markets, which fear a trade war will harm growth, push business costs much higher and trigger a recession.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Musselman, agitated, barked at referees on their way off the floor.—
Luca Evans,
Orange County Register,
15 Feb. 2025
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Fill the bucket with water and carefully (with rubber dish gloves) submerge the stained garment in the water, agitating slightly.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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