as in bothering
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 derailing
Cal Coast then accused SDCCU of intentionally derailing the merger without a valid cause.
—
Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
State AGs have notched some successes recently, temporarily derailing the merger of big broadcasters Nexstar and Tegna and obtaining a settlement from Live Nation.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Jet fuel costs have roughly doubled since the start of the war in Iran, derailing Spirit’s plans to emerge from its second bankruptcy reorganization since 2024.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Craving something sweet doesn’t have to mean derailing your health goals.
—Jennifer Berger, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
The team took hit after hit, injuries derailing their roster regularly with almost no reprieve across the six-month schedule.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
This season didn't go nearly as well, with injuries to key veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and DeAndre Hunter derailing the campaign almost from the start.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
This season didn't go nearly as well, with injuries to key veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and DeAndre Hunter derailing the campaign almost from the start.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
Candidates who lost have pointed their fingers at special interests, blaming them for derailing their campaigns.
—Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
State AGs have notched some successes recently, temporarily derailing the merger of big broadcasters Nexstar and Tegna and obtaining a settlement from Live Nation.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Jet fuel costs have roughly doubled since the start of the war in Iran, derailing Spirit’s plans to emerge from its second bankruptcy reorganization since 2024.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Craving something sweet doesn’t have to mean derailing your health goals.
—Jennifer Berger, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026
The team took hit after hit, injuries derailing their roster regularly with almost no reprieve across the six-month schedule.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
This season didn't go nearly as well, with injuries to key veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and DeAndre Hunter derailing the campaign almost from the start.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
This season didn't go nearly as well, with injuries to key veterans like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and DeAndre Hunter derailing the campaign almost from the start.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
Candidates who lost have pointed their fingers at special interests, blaming them for derailing their campaigns.
—Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailing
Verb
-
Try taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to write out what's bothering you.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
2 May 2026
-
Yusei Kikuchi said throwing fastballs was bothering him again, so the Los Angeles Angels pitcher left Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox after two innings with left shoulder tightness.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The curators supply a historical backdrop, therefore, but discreetly, and without distracting us from Wright’s poetic originality.—
Julian Bell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Living Room also extends outdoors to the rooftop Terrazzo Bar with views that are almost too distracting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In addition, local inland wetland agencies may have stricter regulations on planting, disturbing or controlling specific invasive plants in sensitive areas within their town.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
-
Remaining quiet and respectful increases the chances of observing bears in their natural habitat without disturbing them.—
Debbie Olsen,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
The most concerning scenario is a slow-moving catastrophe that never fully enters public consciousness due to largely absent data.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
His administration is expected to transform political dynamics within the European Union, where the former prime minister had upended the bloc by frequently vetoing key decisions, most recently concerning support for neighboring Ukraine.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The alerts were triggered by the severe thunderstorm moving through the area, alarming some residents who were unaware the city’s siren system now also goes off when a severe weather warning is issued by the National Weather Service.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Air quality concerns Smoke continued to linger Wednesday, worrying residents.—
Elijah Westbrook,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
Investors previously challenged the company's aggressive spending initiatives, worrying that new tech investments would take time to pay off.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
The economic cost of the war is now palpable – with cell-phone data outages that regularly blight major cities angering even the pro-Putin bourgeoisie – adding to a sense of the war beginning to hit the urban elite, who until now were mostly isolated from the invasion’s impact.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
-
Starmer’s comments risk angering many within his party, who will take issue with his linking of antisemitism with pro-Palestinian activism.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2026
Verb
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At this point, those agitating against the merger might see their most realistic option being to lobby for conditions on the merger, such as job-protection guarantees or production minimums.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
For years, Mira has been agitating for more independence.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailing. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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