derail

verb

de·​rail di-ˈrāl 

dē-

derailed; derailing; derails

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to leave the rails

derailment

di-ˈrāl-mənt 

dē-

noun

Synonyms of derail

• distract
• disturb
• bother
• worry
• alarm
• concern
• unsettle
• agitate
• anger

Examples of derail in a Sentence

The train derailed in heavy snow.

The train was derailed by heavy snow.

Recent Examples on the Web

These deficits can derail health, increasing the risk of chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease, and anxiety. —Matt Fuchs, Time, 8 Dec. 2025

The unseen Wolf is an open admirer and a frustrated collaborator, granting Reubens his artistic due while grappling with the decades-long aftereffects of the homophobic scandals that derailed his career. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025

Senga started the year off strong, but was derailed by an injury. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2025

The Warriors used nearly eight minutes on the opening drive of the second half, but some penalties derailed the drive and allowed the Red Rocketeers to force a turnover on downs. —Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French dérailler to throw off the track, from dé- de- + rail, from English

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for derail

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• detail
• dovetail
• email
• entail

Kids Definition

derail

verb

de·​rail di-ˈrā(ə)l 

: to cause to run off the rails

a train derailed by heavy snow

derailment

-mənt 

noun