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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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 derailed The collision derailed two carriages on the tail of the Iryo train and the front of the Renfe train. — Joseph Wilson, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026 The collision derailed two carriages on the tail of the IRYO train and the front of the RENFE train. — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 An Iryo train traveling from Malaga to Madrid derailed near Adamuz, in southern Spain, and collided with an oncoming Renfe train heading to Huelva. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 Vance recounted how Marshall supported his efforts to enhance railroad safety requirements after a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in 2023. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026 Scudder can’t control whether the big state campaigns, including Talarico’s, will get sidetracked or entirely derailed. — Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2026 A good long-term bet can be derailed by the reality of right now. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 Over cappuccinos in the garden of the Chateau Marmont, Baron Cohen lets loose on the mounting backlash, his battles with studios and the $3 million day that nearly derailed his film. — Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 Her life is an example of how getting out of poverty in Sacramento can be delayed and derailed in many ways. — Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailed

Verb

Troopers even say many drivers are also driving distracted, so that's leading to crashes and injury crashes, especially for pedestrians.

— Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
The sequence has some clever gags, but you’re distracted by the awareness of being narratively underwhelmed.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of distracted

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 alarmed

Verb

No one from the magazine bothered to help clean up the mess, but Camper, Tim and Mike, until then occupying each other by the Golden Age of SF section, responded rapidly.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
Not that those food safety shortcomings bothered rodents at The Blue Store aka Bargain Supermarket, 2901 NW 19th St.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of bothered

Verb

Opponents of Proposition 40 are concerned that the threat of wealth taxes will lead to billionaires continuing to leave the state, resulting in a long-term decrease in state income tax revenue.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Campaign promises Castro says residents continue to be concerned about development, corruption and public safety.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of concerned

Verb

Cramer also worried about rising rates, which would make capital even more scarce as Nvidia 's Jensen Huang suggested during an interview on Morning Call.

— Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
When the ethics package passed this summer, a few aldermen worried these restrictions could make running for office more complicated and discourage candidates who want to run for local office for the first time.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of worried

Verb

The trail’s California Environmental Quality Act exemption has angered an array of people.

— Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Soon, other aggrieved groups—farmers, trade unionists, climate activists, yellow-vest protesters angered by rising costs—joined in, and the demonstrations that followed quickly became some of France’s most widespread and explosive since 1968.

— Maurice Samuels, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of angered

Verb

But he was plagued by guilt over his ancestor’s role in the trials, and felt compelled to explore themes of human character, greed, and social decay through his work.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Joan realizes that her mother’s vanishing meshes with a larger tapestry of tragedy that has plagued their family over the years.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of plagued

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“Derailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailed. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of derailed

verb

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