DERAILED Synonyms: 92 Similar and Opposite Words

derailed

verb

past tense of derail

as in distracted

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 derailed But his career has been derailed by multiple back and knee surgeries, car accidents and pain pill dependence. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Madrigal will play Dan, James’ divorced best friend whose plans for single life are derailed by James and Jeanie’s impulsive wedding. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026 Next year’s Superman follow-up Man of Tomorrow hopes to avoid whatever lingering DC baggage and other factors derailed Supergirl. — Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Yet last week, California managed to pull it off — navigating the public backlash that has derailed and limited efforts by other Western states. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 The usually cordial relationship between Washington and Ottawa has soured considerably in recent weeks, with trade talks derailed and the neighbors now levying multi-billion-dollar tariffs against one another. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 But a slew of injuries, a turbulent relationship with his coach and off-field incidents derailed what was once a promising career, and he was ultimately released by his final team, the Cleveland Browns, in 2014. — Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 Perhaps there is no hungrier team than the Broncos, whose 14-3 2025 season was derailed when quarterback Bo Nix was injured in the playoffs, forcing a backup to start the AFC championship game. — Nbc Sports, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 Max Meyer is still sidelined with a neck strain that has derailed the second half of his All-Star season. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailed

Verb

The long seven-month offseason has been filled with congressional legislation, eligibility lawsuits, CFP expansion and plenty of other storylines that have distracted from the product on the field.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
You’re not distracted by the clients waiting behind you or the sense that someone is watching and waiting for your chair to open up.

— Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of distracted

Verb

In New Jersey, the op-ed authors were alarmed by the bond’s staggering price and the impact that would have on the state.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Such military cooperation has alarmed Israel, which is increasingly distrustful of Turkey’s intentions in the region.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of alarmed

Verb

But Covid-19 layoffs aside, the San Francisco company hasn’t bothered to tidy up along the way, its chief executive says.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Never even bothered to deny any of the accusations that would eventually lead to Wednesday’s stunning NBA ruling against the LA Clippers in this landmark salary cap circumvention case.

— Sam Amick, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of bothered

Verb

Despite this baggage, the economic report her new organization drafted has concerned lawmakers worried about affordability.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
On Monday, Facebook posts about the Morris Barn in downtown Matthews began to circulate, with many residents worried the barn was falling into disrepair.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of worried

Verb

Sánchez is facing mounting scrutiny amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis in Ceuta, where the flood of thousands of migrants has angered residents in the tiny community, which is ill-equipped to handle such an influx.

— Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Prosecutors argued Monday that Kading’s disclosures angered Davis.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of angered

Verb

Instead, they were plagued by injuries, dropped seven of their final nine games and lost the division tiebreaker to the Carolina Panthers.

— Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
But the violence that plagued Muslims and mosques in the days and years after 9/11 stood in stark contrast to those sentiments.

— BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of plagued

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“Derailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailed. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of derailed

verb

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