derail

1 of 2

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

derailment

2 of 2

noun

de·​rail·​ment də̇ˈrā(ə)lmənt 

dēˈ-

plural -s

: an act or instance of derailing or being derailed : derailed state

Synonyms of derail

Verb

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

Examples of derail in a Sentence

Verb

The train derailed in heavy snow.

The train was derailed by heavy snow.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At the same time, borrowers are reporting increasing problems and errors that are delaying or derailing their ability to maintain access to affordable repayment plan programs and student loan forgiveness. — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Related Stories The film follows teenager Danny, who after making a mistake that could derail his future, unexpectedly reconnects with Josh, a social worker who once tried to help him but whose own mistakes drove them apart. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 31 July 2026

Ruston Kelly surrendered to sobriety after a freak accident nearly derailed his life. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

There are plenty of recovery stories, but also horror ones, of promising careers derailed by too-quick comebacks or just imperfect treatment. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

French déraillement, from dérailler + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

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