derail

verb

de·​rail di-ˈrāl How to pronounce derail (audio)
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 employeeJoanne Gordon

intransitive verb

: to leave the rails
derailment noun

Examples of derail in a Sentence

The train derailed in heavy snow. The train was derailed by heavy snow.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Despite this apparent momentum, the research identified critical gaps between CEO expectations and IT capabilities that threaten to derail these efforts. Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 The decision follows years of mounting frustration among Republican and Democratic administrations alike, as nationwide injunctions have increasingly been used to derail executive policies before higher courts could weigh in. Nik Popli, Time, 27 June 2025 Previous episode synopses for The Buccaneers season two can be read below: Episode One: Nan's wedding day is in full swing, but a surprise appearance by someone from her past threatens to derail the festivities. Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025 But a last-minute dispute with Spain has threatened to derail those plans. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for derail

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of derail was in 1850

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derail. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

derail

verb
de·​rail di-ˈrā(ə)l How to pronounce derail (audio)
: to cause to run off the rails
a train derailed by heavy snow
derailment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on derail

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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