as in distracted
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
according to police, the suspect had been derailed in recent months by mounting financial problems
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Recent Examples of derailed
The multiple mistresses ruined his image; the countless injuries derailed his golf game.
—
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Justice derailed What followed was a travesty.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
The plan was to turn it into a thriving space and science center, but those plans were soon derailed.
—New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2026
Their perfectly imperfect romance narrative has been derailed by a more dangerous form of storytelling, the kind that can strand even the closest relationship in uncharted territory.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
The takeoff was almost derailed in the last minute when an issue popped up with a key flight termination system.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Haupiua Steventon, a member of McLeod’s family who had her stomach removed at 18, got a job at a bar after the long recovery derailed her university studies.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Indianapolis began 8-2 before a litany of injuries, most notably quarterback Daniel Jones’ ruptured right Achilles tendon, derailed its promising campaign.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
However, a series of injuries, poor coaching, and the career revival of Daniel Jones derailed any momentum Richardson had gained.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Justice derailed What followed was a travesty.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
The plan was to turn it into a thriving space and science center, but those plans were soon derailed.
—New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2026
Their perfectly imperfect romance narrative has been derailed by a more dangerous form of storytelling, the kind that can strand even the closest relationship in uncharted territory.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
The takeoff was almost derailed in the last minute when an issue popped up with a key flight termination system.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Haupiua Steventon, a member of McLeod’s family who had her stomach removed at 18, got a job at a bar after the long recovery derailed her university studies.
—Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
Indianapolis began 8-2 before a litany of injuries, most notably quarterback Daniel Jones’ ruptured right Achilles tendon, derailed its promising campaign.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
However, a series of injuries, poor coaching, and the career revival of Daniel Jones derailed any momentum Richardson had gained.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailed
Verb
-
Woods was far more comfortable with telling officers he was distracted versus possibly impaired.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Black, naturally, also sings a verse about forgetting the wise words of a man in the Tibetan mountains because he was distracted by a terse text from his wife.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dogs should not be disturbed while resting, as undisturbed sleep is important for their wellbeing.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In the show's latest season, multiple cast members wonder if the pair are getting back together, with Wilson being notably disturbed when approached by costar Jesse Solomon about possibly kissing Miller if given the chance.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The conflict has alarmed the international community, particularly as the area is one where other militant organizations, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, still have a presence in the region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
In a message from True Religion to Saba following the incident, the brand said the report was filed due to Saba’s unauthorized entry to the offices by impersonating as a delivery person and his initial refusal to leave, which alarmed the brand’s staff.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Heat’s third matchup of the season against the Raptors didn’t go well either, as Toronto’s length on the defensive end again bothered Miami.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Some voters were bothered by Turning Point's involvement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps the most reassuring detail for fans concerned about canon fidelity is how much Martin has endorsed this production.—
Ryan Brennan
April 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The products are no longer available for purchase, but the FSIS is concerned that the nuggets may still be stored in some consumers’ freezers.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sheehy encouraged anyone worried about pacemakers to consider using the devices.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Armstrong worried that something simmered between Moriah and her longtime boyfriend Colin Strickland, whom Armstrong lived with.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While Decurion may be operating within its rights as owner of the property, its secretive and mysterious business practices have increasingly angered film fans concerned about the future of moviegoing in the city.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Netanyahu angered Trump earlier in the war by attacking Iranian oil and gas facilities; but Netanyahu then pivoted to Iranian infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities.—
Daniel Kurtzer,
New York Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Whereas Phoebe lacks inhibitions, Valerie is plagued by them, and the contrasting sitcom formats of Friends (multi-cam) and The Comeback (mockumentary) call for totally different performance styles.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Lack of depth also plagued — a contrast from last year, when the four-line threat was huge.—
Greg Cote
April 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailed. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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