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
But left unaddressed was Senate Republicans’ own frustration with how the rough patch has been derailing their legislative agenda.
—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
25 June 2026
After a 2025 season derailed by injury, Caitlin Clark was roughed up once again on Wednesday night, leaving the game with a back injury after taking a fist to the throat earlier in the game.
—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
25 June 2026
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends scheduling regular transfers into a money market or high-yield savings account, reducing the likelihood that other priorities will derail progress.
—
Rob Falzon,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
But the process has been riddled with stumbling blocks – including persistent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which threatened to derail US-Iran talks last week.
—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
25 June 2026
After a 2025 season derailed by injury, Caitlin Clark was roughed up once again on Wednesday night, leaving the game with a back injury after taking a fist to the throat earlier in the game.
—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
25 June 2026
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends scheduling regular transfers into a money market or high-yield savings account, reducing the likelihood that other priorities will derail progress.
—
Rob Falzon,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
But the process has been riddled with stumbling blocks – including persistent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which threatened to derail US-Iran talks last week.
—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
Verb
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Smart leaders audit what’s truly profitable, cut distracting growth channels and rebuild around operational clarity, not just revenue velocity.
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If a robot starts patrolling your local garage, mall, park or transit hub, do not get distracted by the cool tech factor.
Verb
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The first trailer stars Keitel drinking in a bar, while the second sees DeVito’s sleep getting disturbed by a phone call.
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What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
Verb
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While some of the wives wouldn’t bother coming to games every Sunday, Michel said, many of the children saw the Feeney fathers as proper heroes.
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His pace routinely bothered Sweden, including on one impressive solo run in the first half that produced a quality attacking scenario.
Verb
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But prosecutors said their further investigation raised significant doubts about those conclusions, worrying them that a jury would not find Hobby guilty of an arson charge.
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Some academic leaders worry that the report might drive students away from programs that encompass the core of human knowledge.
Verb
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The bill’s impact on the massive pension system alarmed CalPERS’ staff, who estimated that premiums would increase by over $28 a month per member in the first year of the bill.
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So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene.
Verb
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On Election Day, Schlossberg was campaigning out in the rain despite the concerning polls, hearing stories from passersby about their Kennedy encounters over the years and taking selfies with starstruck supporters.
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One of the increasingly concerning threats is drones, which can be piloted remotely and are difficult to disable.
Verb
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One concern is parents of autistic children, who often have gastrointestinal issues, though the science linking those issues to autism is unsettled.
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Warner offers little comfort to executives unsettled by last week’s events.
Verb
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Allow room for your items to move freely and to be agitated.
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After that, the day shift starts agitating for a pizza party.
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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