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 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
McKenzie Milton was the heartbeat of the Knights’ undefeated 2017 season and, after injuries derailed his playing career, transitioned to the sideline.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 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
Two years later, a train derailed, and the air, water, and clay of East Palestine were poisoned.
—Mary Norris, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
His second year was derailed by injury.
—David Troy, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Those plans were derailed after the war triggered a spike in jet fuel prices, upending Spirit's cost projections and complicating its exit from bankruptcy.
—David Shepardson, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Rather, what derailed the process was a secrecy order imposed by Cook County Judge Barbara Dawkins in the criminal case of Adrian Rucker, one of the two men charged with felonies in connection with the sequence of events that led to Rivera’s death.
—Jamie Kalven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
The former five-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon High still is growing into his career, especially after surgery for a congenital heart defect derailed his brief college experience at USC.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
McKenzie Milton was the heartbeat of the Knights’ undefeated 2017 season and, after injuries derailed his playing career, transitioned to the sideline.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 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
Two years later, a train derailed, and the air, water, and clay of East Palestine were poisoned.
—Mary Norris, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
His second year was derailed by injury.
—David Troy, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Those plans were derailed after the war triggered a spike in jet fuel prices, upending Spirit's cost projections and complicating its exit from bankruptcy.
—David Shepardson, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Rather, what derailed the process was a secrecy order imposed by Cook County Judge Barbara Dawkins in the criminal case of Adrian Rucker, one of the two men charged with felonies in connection with the sequence of events that led to Rivera’s death.
—Jamie Kalven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
The former five-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon High still is growing into his career, especially after surgery for a congenital heart defect derailed his brief college experience at USC.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailed
Verb
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Portland couldn’t figure out how to pass off help assignments to deal with the downhill speed of San Antonio’s guards and wings, with the Blazers’ centers distracted on the perimeter.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The report also indicated the driver of the black truck was not suspected of being on drugs or alcohol and was not distracted when the crash happened.—
Steve Maugeri,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Blueberry plants also have a shallow root system that can be disturbed by planting annuals and is subject to competition from surrounding plants for water and nutrients.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The radiation from the flares reached Earth quickly and disturbed the ionosphere, the upper atmospheric layer that carries many radio and navigation signals.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Like so many in her field, The Ohio State University oncologist Ning Jin is alarmed by the number of patients in their 30s and 40s with late-stage cancer in their lower digestive tract.—
Yuki Noguchi,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The casual acknowledgement of brushing off offers of bribes alarmed some Republican activists, who will endorse a candidate for governor at their state convention on May 16.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Who never bothered to delete the erroneous post.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
With Minnesota viewing them as soft, the Nuggets hardly seem bothered by the criticism.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That’s the case where the 49ers are concerned and their spotty record under coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch in identifying premium talent in the first two rounds.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, Wintour and Bryan were — as far as the public was concerned — together from 1998 until late 2020, well after her kids were married.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The good thing for Ohio State is that the coaching staff isn’t worried about injuries to Joshua Padilla, Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels lingering into preseason camp.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
But investors worried about Clorox cutting its full-year profit outlook as consumers become more selective with their spending amid higher gas prices.—
Davis Giangiulio,Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The verdict on the lesser charge angered Diller’s colleagues in the NYPD.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Trump faces record-low approval ratings, while Washington’s war on Iran, which has sent US gasoline prices spiking, has further angered voters.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Corruption cases reminiscent of the scandals that plagued the political elite that Milei vowed to overthrow have added to his challenges, with his close ally and chief of staff, Manuel Adorni, now under investigation for the misuse of public funds.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the child molestation claims that plagued Jackson for decades, his fans have demonstrated a number of times that the answer is yes.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailed. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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