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
At centre-forward, Hugo Ekitike was devastating on the counter for Eintracht Frankfurt, and showed flashes of his ability to impact the game at speed at Liverpool before a disastrous Achilles injury derailed his season and will keep him out until well into next term.
—
Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
The state championship dreams were derailed Friday, however, as Crystal Lake Central dominated on its way to a 5-0 win in a Class 2A semifinal at North Central College in Naperville.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Inside the meeting, however, Blanche got an earful from Republicans about how the fund had derailed their schedule to fund ICE and CBP as frustrated senators vowed to withhold their vote until the details of the fund -- mainly who could be compensated from it -- were laid out.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Delevingne, 33, shared some of her most detailed comments yet about the drug spiral that nearly derailed her life despite the model's enormous professional success.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances, with two championships, before injuries derailed any chance of a three-peat this year.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
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
Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
The state championship dreams were derailed Friday, however, as Crystal Lake Central dominated on its way to a 5-0 win in a Class 2A semifinal at North Central College in Naperville.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Inside the meeting, however, Blanche got an earful from Republicans about how the fund had derailed their schedule to fund ICE and CBP as frustrated senators vowed to withhold their vote until the details of the fund -- mainly who could be compensated from it -- were laid out.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Delevingne, 33, shared some of her most detailed comments yet about the drug spiral that nearly derailed her life despite the model's enormous professional success.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances, with two championships, before injuries derailed any chance of a three-peat this year.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
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
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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