derail

verb

di-ˈrāl How to pronounce derail (audio)
Definition of derailnext
as in to distract
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy according to police, the suspect had been derailed in recent months by mounting financial problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of derail With Republicans working with slim margins, even a few dissenting members could easily derail the vote. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026 But there is a looming risk that lawmakers will allow one politically divisive issue – federal preemption of state AI laws – to derail legislation that is otherwise needed. — Caleb Knapp, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 Even better, every pick is under $25, so refreshing your vacation wardrobe doesn’t have to derail your budget. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026 The Board of Peace also is pressing for an end to actions that could derail the plan. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
  1. distract
  2. disturb
  3. bother
  4. worry
  5. alarm
  6. concern
  7. unsettle
  8. agitate
Verb
  • Nathan, already distracted, gets paranoid that Coop and Joe are laughing at him.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Aria Bendix, health reporter Read All About It An armed bystander distracted a gunman who opened fire at an Idaho In-N-Out Burger.
    — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of distract
Verb
  • Burke’s friends and acquaintances who spoke with Rolling Stone were similarly disturbed.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
  • China’s introduction of a common buying agency has disturbed what has been an evenly balanced relationship which has sometimes favored one side over the other, but which eventually finds equilibrium.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • My summer dresses will sadly be retired in the coming weeks, but a denim midi skirt is the ideal swap on days when I can’t be bothered to wear jeans.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026
  • While acknowledging a desire for the honor, Overeem states he's not overly bothered, having faced similar situations throughout his long career.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • Survivors have expressed frustration and worry over growing support for the possession of nuclear weapons for deterrence by the international community, including Japan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • But the nanny never worried the Massachusetts mother might be a danger to her children or to herself.
    — Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • Japan is alarmed by the growing presence and frequency of Chinese warships in the Pacific Ocean.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Among those alarmed by the state’s mounting repression are civil-society figures who have staunchly opposed the war with America and Israel.
    — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • New to this generation, the Galaxy Watch 9 will monitor your overnight vitals, including your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and skin temperature, to surface any concerning measurements.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, the state’s top elections official, conceded the errors that led to lawsuits by Democrats in Hartford and Enfield concerning the gathering of petition signatures in order to force a primary.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • The barrage has caused fuel shortages in Russia, eaten into Russian refining capacity, and unsettled the Russian public.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • That reshuffle opened the door for Amad, who shone on the right with a bustling performance, unsettling PSG with his sharp dribbling and laying on an assist for Mbeumo.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsettle
Verb
  • Instead of budgeting for $1,800 in tissues, the school insists on agitating parents all summer over crap like this.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • He was agitated by failures to land first-choice replacements for the second summer running.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

deputy
derail
derailed
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Cite this Entry

“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of derail for Spanish Speakers

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