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
Examples of derail in a Sentence
The train derailed in heavy snow.
The train was derailed by heavy snow.
Recent Examples on the Web
By February 2020, before the pandemic derailed the DNC in Milwaukee, multiple bookings at the Rave had been set, West said.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
He's blended those roles over the past year by presenting himself to supporters, on the campaign trail and on social media, as a target of politically motivated prosecutions designed to derail his candidacy.
—Jennifer Peltz, arkansasonline.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Despite a blitz of last-minute attempts to derail the trial, jury selection is expected to get underway and will continue for at least a week until a panel of 12 New Yorkers and alternates are seated.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
This provides a crucial buffer against unexpected costs derailing their long-term savings.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
Norfolk Southern has agreed to a $600 million settlement to resolve class-action lawsuits filed after a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, spilling toxic chemicals into the community.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Her remarks came after Beijing agreed to talks to prevent rising trade tensions from derailing tentatively improving relations with Washington.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Soroka was the Braves’ youngest ever Opening Day starter in ’20 but was derailed by injury, tearing his Achilles tendon in his third start.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The Biden administration thus faces the vexing problem of having its most important policy goal regarding the Gaza crisis challenged and perhaps derailed by its primary regional partner.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024
He's blended those roles over the past year by presenting himself to supporters, on the campaign trail and on social media, as a target of politically motivated prosecutions designed to derail his candidacy.
—Jennifer Peltz, arkansasonline.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Despite a blitz of last-minute attempts to derail the trial, jury selection is expected to get underway and will continue for at least a week until a panel of 12 New Yorkers and alternates are seated.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024
This provides a crucial buffer against unexpected costs derailing their long-term savings.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024
Norfolk Southern has agreed to a $600 million settlement to resolve class-action lawsuits filed after a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, spilling toxic chemicals into the community.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Her remarks came after Beijing agreed to talks to prevent rising trade tensions from derailing tentatively improving relations with Washington.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Soroka was the Braves’ youngest ever Opening Day starter in ’20 but was derailed by injury, tearing his Achilles tendon in his third start.
—Phil Rogers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The Biden administration thus faces the vexing problem of having its most important policy goal regarding the Gaza crisis challenged and perhaps derailed by its primary regional partner.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'derail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near derail
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derail. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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