derail

verb

di-ˈrāl How to pronounce derail (audio)
Definition of derailnext
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

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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 While many returned to the liner with goal fulfilled, a fair number were derailed at the gate. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Oil flows have dropped amid the intensifying attacks, derailing an uptick in movement seen earlier this month. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 More than one plan to reopen the Uptown has been announced with much fanfare and anticipation, only to get derailed. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Such contract negotiations can be uncomfortable, creating tension that derails a team. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
  1. distract
  2. disturb
  3. bother
  4. worry
  5. alarm
  6. concern
  7. unsettle
  8. agitate
Verb
  • In each case, the visible problem can distract from the value underneath it.
    — Michael Ligon, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Democrat, who supports Jackson, thinks there’s wisdom in trying to avoid gaffes that distract from Collins.
    — Julia Terruso, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of distract
Verb
  • An officer responded to PSA, and police said about two pallets of cards were stolen from the truck and a third was disturbed.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • On vehicles with a dedicated secondary passenger display, front passengers can browse, view lyrics, and watch video content without disturbing the driver.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturb
Verb
  • The mathematics and computer science graduate, who spent two years in the Peace Corps, launched Netflix by mailing DVDs in red envelopes to customers bothered by Blockbuster Video chain’s practices and late fees.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Some people, like me, are bothered by such images but can mostly ignore them.
    — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of bother
Verb
  • And experts now worry about their potential to reach the Great Lakes.
    — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • That worries Jonathan Jarry, a science communicator at McGill University’s Office for Science and Society in Montreal.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of worry
Verb
  • That move sparked enormous street protests in Israel, and alarmed many Israeli citizens overseas.
    — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The new company has nearly $80 billion in debt, with leverage of six-and-a-half times trailing earnings, a ratio that has alarmed investors and triggered credit rating downgrades.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of alarm
Verb
  • Andriesz’s death comes four months after the BBC aired a news documentary featuring him and his allegations concerning Lutnick’s ties to Epstein.
    — Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This can be particularly concerning for people dealing with stalking, harassment or threats.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of concern
Verb
  • Short enough to read in a single sitting, Sara Gran’s chilling story of an architect succumbing to demonic possession will leave readers stunned and unsettled.
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The recent layoffs have nevertheless unsettled Britain’s independent production community, which has already endured several difficult years of shrinking budgets and fewer commissions.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsettle
Verb
  • Reyes believes the pair agitated the dog, who reacted in self-defense.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But while the calls to resign or step aside have waned, many are still agitating for change.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of agitate

Browse Nearby Words

deputy
derail
derailed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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