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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 derailing
At one point early on, high levels of soil contaminants become a concern at fields across the region, almost derailing the whole season.
—
Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
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
Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailing
Verb
-
Tell him that his approach to the trip is bothering you.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
-
Try taking 10 to 15 minutes each day to write out what's bothering you.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
None of the distracting political overcast stopped Hernandez from winning all three events the athlete competed in the first-round meet.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
-
In this case, Swift opted to let the strands of her bow hang well past her ponytail, giving the hair accessory a veil-like quality without distracting from the rest of her look.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
There's also an argument to be made that this is disturbing the wildlife at the national park, which is a valid concern.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Disrupting the possibility of cheerful solitude is both a stylistic and social shift, disturbing the film’s non-narrative serenity while depicting how dismantling the safety net displaces basic functions onto those least able to bear them.—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
For DiPentima, the bill’s swift progress though the legislature was concerning.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
Over the past ten-plus years, American students’ academic achievement has experienced a concerning decline.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
16 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
-
Instead of worrying about parking lots, navigating traffic detours, or designating a driver, passengers can simply board the train and enjoy the ride alongside other fans headed to the same destination.—
JP Shaffer,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026
-
Make your time your priority instead of wasting time worrying about what other individuals are doing or thinking.—
Jann E. Freed,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The retailer scaled back Pride displays and rolled back DEI programs, angering its liberal customers.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
20 May 2026
-
Months later, in January 1996, pilots again released clouds of leaflets north of the island, angering Fidel Castro and his brother Raúl Castro, who was serving as Cuba's defense minister at the time.—
Hank Tester,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
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 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
