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 After injuries and ineffectiveness derailed his season, the Cubs are trying to sell Cabrera on being this year’s version of Roki Sasaki, who suddenly clicked out of the bullpen during the Dodgers’ 2025 World Series run. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Both northbound and southbound Dalrock Road are closed between Chiesa Road and Sunrise Drive after five railcars derailed near Dalrock and Chiesa, according to Rowlett police. — S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 And now each of those meetings are being derailed by combating misinformation about vaccines. — Roshan N. Bransden, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026 Injuries derailed Jackson’s 2025 season after a lights out first three games. — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for derail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail

Verb

Levi argues that the Blast files were deliberately compromised to distract from their contents.

— Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
My parents were tense and distracted while my siblings were scared.

— Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of distract

Verb

Both areas are fenced and protected, and NOAA Fisheries urged beachgoers not to disturb these sites.

— Paris Barraza, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
Combs has both utilized and weaponized his fortune, industry status, and reputation to hide a volatile temper and disturbing behavior for decades.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of disturb

Verb

Many of the condition’s early signs, such as depression or impulsivity, can stem from other factors, and some experts worry about making premature diagnoses.

— Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
The backlash against data centers is growing, as critics worry about rising electricity bills as well as air, water and noise pollution.

— Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of worry

Verb

But the Treasury market’s rapid deterioration is now alarming those who previously downplayed the risks.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
The constant delay-of-game calls, false starts and inability to get lined up are a special level of alarming for a quarterback who entered the NFL 10 years ago.

— Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of alarm

Verb

Bass is particularly concerned by the relative lack of specialized intervention training for patrol officers who respond to the vast majority of service calls.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
The District Court of Gelderland, sitting in Arnhem, in the Netherlands ruled in favor of Birkenstock on a landmark copyright case concerning lookalikes of the German footwear company’s classic sandals sold at Lidl stores.

— Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of concern

Verb

Monday in Philadelphia stays cool and unsettled, with the front stalled just south of the region and scattered rain chances, especially across southeastern Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware.

— Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Man is an unknowable creature, and few things unsettle it more than forcing it to live within its mystery.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsettle

Browse Nearby Words

deputy

derail

derailed

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“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of derail

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