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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Recent Examples of derail
Earlier Thursday, the court heard from two sisters in a statement read by the oldest, who said her bright future was derailed thanks to O'Connor, along with her identity and sense of self.
—
Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Injuries have derailed Heat seasons (Terry Rozier, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell).
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
The odds reflect a belief that Guardiola’s departure will not suddenly derail City’s ability to compete at the highest level.
—Dean Jones, New York Times, 28 May 2026
That finding cuts against the common fear that an adult gap year will permanently derail a career.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Injuries have derailed Heat seasons (Terry Rozier, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell).
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
The odds reflect a belief that Guardiola’s departure will not suddenly derail City’s ability to compete at the highest level.
—Dean Jones, New York Times, 28 May 2026
That finding cuts against the common fear that an adult gap year will permanently derail a career.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
Verb
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The opening salvo of the assault is intended to distract the Russians and permit four other robots to get behind enemy lines.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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Meanwhile, Johnson insisted to reporters in Chicago that his international excursion will not distract him from the pressing issues back home, including the final week of Springfield’s legislative session.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Most were for assault of police officers while other allegations include theft, vandalism and disturbing the public order.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
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Regardless, there’s a clear symbolism to Clark empathizing and embracing a bloated externalization of his own inchoate fury until someone with an outside perspective disturbs his peace, and that fury breaks loose and devours him.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
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This was a club that embraced African players before much of Europe bothered to scout the continent seriously.—
Zohran Mamdani,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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In my dream world where Emmys voters bother to watch Bait, Khan is a shoo-in.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Considering its reputation and its placement on the World’s Best List, the clientele tends to be very international so those who don’t speak French need not worry.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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Many of his fellow Republicans might find his campaign, as outlined to a reporter Wednesday, to be worrying on closer examination.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has alarmed global public health experts over the ferocity of the spread in the remote and heavily populated region.—
Jane Weaver,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
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At a moment when surveillance technologies are increasingly weaponized against our communities, Albany’s latest proposal should alarm every New Yorker.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Politically, while there may have been the Ginsberg who was the heroic advocate for free expression in a 1956 California State Superior Court obscenity trial concerning Howl, there was also the Ginsberg who was a defender of NAMBLA in the 1980s (on first amendment grounds, but still).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
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Ciara and Interracial Dating in the Bravosphere The most thought-provoking moment of the episode concerned the online minefield that is interracial dating in the Bravosphere, a network that features predominantly white casts.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The combined disgust, discomfort, ignorance, and fascination with our Indigeneity that unsettled my aunties and fascinated my cousins made more sense to me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
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What can safely be said is that AI vertical production has reached the edge of the film market, even if its role is still unsettled.—
Maureen Kerr,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
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If moving away appears to agitate the bear, stop.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
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The individual who called emergency personnel about the male, whose age has yet to be disclosed by officials, reported he was agitated and asking strange questions, police said.—
Ray Campos,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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