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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 As Vanderslice unwittingly contributed to the story with some quotes, not realizing the tone and direction of the article, his candidacy was derailed and his credibility ruined. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026 Adding sweeteners, Ellison eventually convinced the Warner board to agree to a combination, derailing a WBD-Netflix deal. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026 Insurance company lawsuits at issue The main sticking point in the negotiations today is the same issue that derailed attempts at a deal during the legislative session. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026 The debate briefly derailed the meeting as the mayor, controller and council members continually shouted over each other, prompting the mayor to ultimately pause the meeting. — Isaac Yu, Houston Chronicle, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for derail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail

Verb

Elsewhere Citroën is banking on retro-chic styling to distract consumers from the vehicle's minimalism.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026
For Bajaria, the brief opportunity to own a legacy studio didn’t distract from her core mission.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

If anything, the University of Toronto researchers discovered, we humans are the ones disturbing our dogs’ sleep.

— Gina Vivinetto, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
The disembodied emcee voice for the performance only asks that flash not be used, and that any photography or videography not disturb surrounding attendees.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

Palo Alto Networks did that after buying [Israeli startup] CyberArk, but why would most companies bother?

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

Nothing to worry about, though, as the hotel is located in a neighborhood packed with restaurants and bars of all sorts.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Following these reports, concerns are circulating about what exactly caused the death and quarantine — and just how worried the rest of the world should be.

— Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

There are signs that the President is unravelling, in ways that are different from late-period Joe Biden but are alarming all the same.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
The symptom that alarmed me most in that moment was the progressive skin wrinkling in some NCBRS teens.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarm

Verb

Grimes is a longtime advocate of AI, particularly concerning its use in music.

— Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
The narrative structure is perhaps more linear now, even though this part of the story, concerning Pacciani, spans from 1951 to 1996, covering a massively long time frame.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

Big and broad, with no sign of Jaguar’s traditional curves, the Type 01 is a fully electric four-door grand tourer that may unsettle fans of the manufacturer’s previously heritage-heavy image.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
And with the Yankees’ future at second base very much unsettled, that ride might not be over.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsettle

Verb

Love for California is what spurs so many of its people to call out its flaws and agitate for change.

— Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Each of these segments offers your community bank an opportunity to personalize your marketing to provide more value and deepen your relationship, rather than sending along generic one-size-fits-all offers that are ignored or agitate your base.

— Brian Reilly, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

deputy

derail

derailed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of derail

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

abscond

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes