DERAIL Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

derail

verb

di-ˈrāl

Definition of derail

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

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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 The summer’s political bestseller portrays him as a figure whose transformative potential has been utterly derailed by hubris. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 July 2026 His relentless push for the measure has prompted him to derail a bipartisan housing bill and threaten to forgo signing any piece of legislation unless the voting measure is approved. — Ana Ceballos follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Last week, more than a dozen empty coal cars derailed on a bridge over the Grant Calumet River in East Chicago, Indiana. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Low-probability and low-impact risks should be called out, but only to help the team narrow the focus on the risks that are most likely to derail the achievement of the point. — Larry Bomback, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for derail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail

Verb

Roschelle had seemed distracted lately, going to a bunch of doctors’ appointments, talking to Sapphire late at night.

— Jessica Contrera, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
During a recent concert where Graham Nash was speaking his mind about needless wars and his belief that the president started a war with Iran to distract from the Epstein files, someone in the audience yelled out.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

The officer wrote that Gatz had been living in the area for several months and was disturbing the surrounding vegetation.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Platner has faced multiple allegations of reckless and drunken behavior and disturbing behavior toward women since launching his campaign in August.

— Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

The tequila shrimp empanadas disappear quickly, while the huitlacoche quesadilla folds Oaxaca cheese, mushrooms, roasted corn, and salsa macha crema into something deeper and earthier than most Midtown menus bother attempting.

— Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Maybe altering the letters bothered her most because publication inevitably makes the integrity of a letter—the message from writer to recipient—secondary.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

The shadow of the war will loom over the upcoming midterm elections in November – something Republicans have privately been worrying about for months amid growing voter discontent over the war.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
The idea has sparked debate, the sources said, with some officials worried that a pause would set back the department’s efforts to hire more police officers and replenish its dwindling ranks.

— Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

One of the most concerning things about the situation is that someone left such an explosive just lying around.

— Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Plummeting immigration is concerning, since our data suggests that immigration was the biggest contributor to Florida’s growth since 2023.

— Karin Brewster, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

The finale may leave viewers feeling unsettled, but the show has already been renewed for a second season.

— Alex Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 July 2026
Widespread haze from wildfire smoke in Colorado and Utah will also filter into the region at times, potentially reducing visibility and adding to already unsettled atmospheric conditions.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Definition of unsettle

Verb

But a leadership vacuum could fracture the Tibetan movement, potentially giving rise to younger, more radical factions that agitate for total independence, perhaps even violently.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Washing machines take care of that with their tumbling or agitating action.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

Definition of agitate

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deputy

derail

derailed

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“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of derail

verb

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