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
Earlier Thursday, the court heard from two sisters in a statement read by the oldest, who said her bright future was derailed thanks to O'Connor, along with her identity and sense of self.
—
Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Inflation had been ticking closer to the central bank’s 2% goal, but the Iran war and the impact from tariffs has derailed the Fed.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Injuries have derailed Heat seasons (Terry Rozier, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell).
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
All before coming out of Week 1 with the turf toe injury last September that could have derailed the 49ers’ season even before Nick Bosa and Fred Warner went down with season-ending injuries.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Bron Breakker Bron Breakker was essentially penciled in to win a world title at WrestleMania 42 before an untimely injury derailed his push temporarily.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Burns said the project was an innovative way to generate revenue for the city, but it had been derailed by allegations and political theater.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 May 2026
Judges up and down the ladder must make clear that there will be consequences for disregarding their orders, and act on that clarity; so far, the limited number of contempt proceedings have run into procedural walls or been derailed by appellate courts.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Niki suffers from ultra-sensitivity to noise, also known as hyperacusis, which derailed his career in music.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 28 May 2026
Inflation had been ticking closer to the central bank’s 2% goal, but the Iran war and the impact from tariffs has derailed the Fed.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 28 May 2026
Injuries have derailed Heat seasons (Terry Rozier, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell).
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
All before coming out of Week 1 with the turf toe injury last September that could have derailed the 49ers’ season even before Nick Bosa and Fred Warner went down with season-ending injuries.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Bron Breakker Bron Breakker was essentially penciled in to win a world title at WrestleMania 42 before an untimely injury derailed his push temporarily.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Burns said the project was an innovative way to generate revenue for the city, but it had been derailed by allegations and political theater.
—Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 May 2026
Judges up and down the ladder must make clear that there will be consequences for disregarding their orders, and act on that clarity; so far, the limited number of contempt proceedings have run into procedural walls or been derailed by appellate courts.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Niki suffers from ultra-sensitivity to noise, also known as hyperacusis, which derailed his career in music.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailed
Verb
-
With Cargill distracted, Ripley went on the offensive.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
Before his interview with IndieWire can begin, Charles Melton becomes distracted by a wayward eyelash.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Charges against the ambulance thief — who was emotionally disturbed, according to a police source — were pending Thursday.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
-
Shaina was fascinated by Greek mythology but disturbed by the concept of other Gods.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The unprecedentedly large numbers of killings alarmed Western governments.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
-
Your mother, suddenly, is alarmed by your exhaustion.—
Taiye Selasi,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Even as Dylan maneuvers weightier situations like romantic rejection, or the uncertainty of a new leadership position, or feeling bothered that a promising student decides to turn her back on poetry, the actress brings a sense of humanity while embracing her character’s flaws.—
Candice Frederick,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
-
Gilgeous-Alexander, smothered and bothered, was a minus-13 in the period.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Across 2025-26, there are few outstanding contenders — a reflection upon, at least as far as the Premier League is concerned, a Newcastle campaign riddled with inconsistency and underperformance (for the most part).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Persistent high interest rates also present a challenge since electrification benefits play out over time and high interest rates can spook companies concerned about short-term returns (or even survival).—
Justin Worland,
Time,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Labor interests, in particular, worried that a private Pinnacol would end up raising rates and leaving high-risk industries, such as construction, unable to afford workers’ comp insurance.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
But those lot rents have slowly increased across the state and have priced out some retirees, leaving Good Samaritan residents worried the change in ownership may push them out too.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Azmoun was dropped from coach Amir Ghalenoei’s squad in March, reportedly because of a social media post that angered Iranian authorities during the ongoing war with the United States and Israel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
-
Atletico were angered by Barcelona’s long pursuit of Antoine Griezmann, which saw Griezmann decide to stay in summer 2018 but move to the Camp Nou twelve months later.—
Ali Rampling,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Throughout the rosary recital in the grotto, I was plagued with worry.—
Annie Ernaux,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Criminal groups have increasingly launched drone strikes and armed attacks have plagued the race, and last June, politician and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was fatally shot at a political rally.—
Raquel Coronell Uribe,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailed. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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