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
However, as always, some drama threatens to derail everything.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2025
But the trailer also offers a glimpse a frightening car crash that derails their career and life plans.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
But there are several factors that might derail this upward trajectory, analysts say.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Tagovailoa was named a Pro Bowler in 2023, and was on his way toward another productive season last year, but injuries derailed his season.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2025
But the trailer also offers a glimpse a frightening car crash that derails their career and life plans.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
But there are several factors that might derail this upward trajectory, analysts say.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Tagovailoa was named a Pro Bowler in 2023, and was on his way toward another productive season last year, but injuries derailed his season.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
Verb
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Moreover, 14% of more than 1,000 respondents said at least one accident had occurred at their workplace because an employee was distracted by a smartphone—often resulting in injury or damage to property.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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Critics said the milestones are too weak, and that Musk is distracted by side ventures.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rose tells Shaw that her community is concerned about sacred remains being disturbed.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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The 34-year-old appeared to have deactivated her X account after disturbing posts on her account resurfaced online.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The clanging of dirty dishes being gathered in the back kitchen does not bother her.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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Instagram and TikTok are littered with stories of women and their unsupportive husbands, men who can't remember their own children's birthdays or be bothered to take a weekend off from their golf hobby to spend time with their families.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Punk music and its spirit clearly worried the Soviet rulers.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
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For voters worried about health-insurance coverage or the future of research in the United States, scientists, health-care workers, and public-health experts may have particular appeal right now, Shields told me.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sexton called for the review after hearing from owners alarmed by the rapid rise in assessed values.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Nov. 2025
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The president has galvanized supporters or alarmed his opponents across the country.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The lack of an addition to the running back room hit harder on Monday when Chiefs head coach Andy Reid offered a concise, but concerning, injury update on Pacheco.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act updated the farm safety net and other farm insurance programs, but lawmakers still need to revise programs concerning rural development and agricultural research.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Still, even as much as Sweeney loves jeans, maybe she was unsettled by the outsize reaction to her ad promoting them.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
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There was something else unsettling about them.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Because he was getting agitated by the role.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Sook and other local TV execs have been agitating for the FCC to eliminate the cap, though such a move is likely to require Congressional action.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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