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
What looked to be a perfect third inning was derailed by a throwing error from shortstop Hyeseong Kim.
—
Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Both had impressive college careers, though Bueckers' was derailed by injury.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Hundreds of passengers’ plans were derailed on Wednesday when a train crashed into a tanker truck on Colorado’s Western Slope, damaging the tracks — but not just those on board were affected.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
In Season 1, Owen Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, who goes by the nickname Stick, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 May 2026
But economic headwinds due to the war in Iran derailed that progress.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 May 2026
County supervisors recently voted to hit restart on a proposal to put a 25-acre community park in Alpine, unanimously approving a new environmental impact report after a conservationist lawsuit derailed the project last year.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
But the evening was derailed when a gunman sprinted toward a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton ballroom, where the dinner was just underway.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
But those plans were derailed amid soaring jet fuel costs sparked by the outbreak of the war with Iran.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 2 May 2026
Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Both had impressive college careers, though Bueckers' was derailed by injury.
—Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Hundreds of passengers’ plans were derailed on Wednesday when a train crashed into a tanker truck on Colorado’s Western Slope, damaging the tracks — but not just those on board were affected.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 7 May 2026
In Season 1, Owen Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, who goes by the nickname Stick, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 May 2026
But economic headwinds due to the war in Iran derailed that progress.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 May 2026
County supervisors recently voted to hit restart on a proposal to put a 25-acre community park in Alpine, unanimously approving a new environmental impact report after a conservationist lawsuit derailed the project last year.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
But the evening was derailed when a gunman sprinted toward a security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton ballroom, where the dinner was just underway.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
But those plans were derailed amid soaring jet fuel costs sparked by the outbreak of the war with Iran.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailed
Verb
-
Yachty distracted referee Daphanie LaShaunn and Sami Zayn used a candy cane stick on Trick Williams.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
-
Others said the changes have distracted Target from basics such as consistent stocking of groceries and having a balanced mix of national brands alongside its private labels.—
Star Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
She has also been disturbed by the increase in what looks to her like a lack of trust in science, as seen in falling vaccination rates and rising instances of diseases like measles.—
Deepti Hajela,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
When to Plant Watermelon Seeds Most seed catalogs recommend direct sowing watermelon seeds into gardens or pots because watermelons don’t like to have their roots disturbed.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Blanchette said the comment alarmed him and immediately turned his focus to Frew’s safety.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Democracy advocates and Democratic Party leaders say they are alarmed by the denialism but say the issue is likely to take a back seat to other voter concerns such as affordability.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Shuter is not bothered by such pesky details.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
-
One thing that bothered me in my career as a stylist was the cliché that the inspiration of the show is a certain period, and the designer did not see certain races in the casting.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Still, positive job growth and a solid unemployment rate could prompt a Federal Reserve that has been concerned with slowing in the labor market to turn its attention back to inflation as an extended conflict in the Middle East pushes prices higher.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
But after two low sea ice records in a row, scientists are becoming concerned.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Early this year many Fed policymakers were worried the job market was stalling and leaned toward rate cuts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 May 2026
-
But as more headlines emerge about the potentially deadly infection, many are reminded of the COVID pandemic − and worried about the United State's preparedness.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Starmer also has angered supporters with attempts to cut welfare spending, some of which were reversed after Labour revolts.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
Buyers were angered after finding out that the new features would be released later than expected, the filing said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The Pistons also were plagued by turnovers (20 that led to 25 Cavaliers points) and fouling (Cleveland attempted 22 more free throws).—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
The new facility replaced the detention center at 1300 Cherry Street, which is more than four decades old and had fallen into partial disrepair and had long been plagued by unsafe overcrowding and allegations of abuse and mismanagement.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailed. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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