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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of derail
The film eschews traditional dramatic structures, unfolding episodically at a leisurely pace while Karoline struggles to keep her life from completely derailing.
—
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024
Hegseth also did not comment when asked if he was concerned the latest allegations could derail his nomination as defense secretary.
—James Laporta, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2024
Earlier this month, French prosecutors asked for prison time and a five-year ban from politics for Le Pen, potentially derailing her bid to become president in 2027.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024
The holidays don't have to derail your team's momentum.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for derail 
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024
Hegseth also did not comment when asked if he was concerned the latest allegations could derail his nomination as defense secretary.
—James Laporta, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2024
Earlier this month, French prosecutors asked for prison time and a five-year ban from politics for Le Pen, potentially derailing her bid to become president in 2027.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024
The holidays don't have to derail your team's momentum.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
Verb
-
Be clear about your priorities and don’t let unnecessary features distract you.Rhett Power, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
-
Go down the middle road, and split up to distract the team, and learn the shortcuts to run around the map as fast as possible.Rahul Majumdar, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Warmer waters as a result of climate change and krill harvesting could be disturbing traditional humpback feeding grounds, forcing whales to go farther and farther to find food.Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
-
One was arrested on suspicion of battery on a police officer and disturbing the public’s business, LAPD Sgt.David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Sadly, the mainstream media hasn’t bothered to ask me any questions about it.Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 17 Dec. 2024
-
With so much competition, why would China even bother pouring money and effort into such megaconstellations?Magdalena Petrova, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
After Thompson was gunned down on a Manhattan sidewalk heading to the company’s investor day, businesses worry their executives face a higher risk of violence.Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
-
But, by 1985, Herr was worrying about the strain on his body.Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Humming clouds of unidentified drones buzzing the night skies have been spotted over New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York over the past month and some residents are alarmed.John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Also, not to alarm anyone, but there is a new trailer for the upcoming Elden Ring game.Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
And while many scouts were concerned by Cooper’s score of 11 on the 50-question Wonderlic test, the Packers were drawn to his speed, athleticism and intensity.Rob Reischel, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
-
The exasperating drop-off in performance and results against sides they have been expected to overcome risked becoming a concerning, harmful trend.Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Drones sightings across New Jersey have unsettled residents for weeks with no official explanations being offered.Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 15 Dec. 2024
-
The prospect has unsettled European businesses, where exports play a crucial role in driving growth and sustaining jobs.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
In Old Overholt’s case, that love goes back to the mid-2010s, a few years into the rye revival, when rye whiskey specialist Bradford Lawrence successfully agitated for a return to quality for the brand.Tony Sachs, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
-
The demonstrators agitated for the cancelation of the match because of Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza.Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near derail
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share