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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For instance, Bella's first meeting with Edward in their biology class is supposed to be this unnerving moment, where Bella is disturbed by Edward's apparent repulsion toward her.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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A lot of disturbing things happened in The Exorcist — Regan MacNeil's 360 neck turn remains one of the most diabolical things to happen on film — and for its innovations, the 1973 movie scored 10 Oscar nominations.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 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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More broadly, the NBA has expressed concern about prop bets, while other sports leagues have worried about the potential for manipulation.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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After Trump spoke to Lurie, local leaders and advocates worried that Trump would shift his attention from San Francisco, which at one point hosted more billionaires than any other city, to less powerful and more diverse enclaves like Oakland and Alameda.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 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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That’s not unique to New York, of course, and CEOs are concerned that the next generation of leaders doesn’t trust that business or government is on their side.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
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That makes finding such a pair of pants in a thrift-store donation bin unusual—and potentially concerning from a hygiene or institutional usage perspective.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The post, uploaded to the r/casualuk subreddit, has garnered more than 2,700 upvotes to date, drawing widespread attention from viewers intrigued and unsettled by the unexplained discovery.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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While older children and adolescents likely will have already observed and have some understanding of why this space has to occur, younger children may feel more confused and unsettled.—
Sara Rowe Mount,
Parents,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Hedda’s Tesman is, thanks to the casting of Bateman, incredibly handsome and far more self-aware than the play’s version of his character, constantly tense and agitated by being overshadowed and overlooked, despite being as aware as anyone of his evident shortcomings.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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