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
Synonyms of derail
Examples of derail in a Sentence
The train derailed in heavy snow.
The train was derailed by heavy snow.
Recent Examples on the Web
The 2025 shutdown, by comparison, has derailed 100% of appropriations.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
However, as always, some drama threatens to derail everything.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2025
But the trailer also offers a glimpse a frightening car crash that derails their career and life plans.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
But there are several factors that might derail this upward trajectory, analysts say.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
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.
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
However, as always, some drama threatens to derail everything.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2025
But the trailer also offers a glimpse a frightening car crash that derails their career and life plans.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
But there are several factors that might derail this upward trajectory, analysts say.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 4 Nov. 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 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share