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
The semi-autobiographical book chronicles the derailing life of Esther Greenwood, a talented undergraduate student who begins an internship with a New York City magazine.
—
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Toppin almost certainly was going to earn his share of honors prior to the injury derailing his campaign.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
At a Homeland Security hearing last week, Kansas City police officials and a Miami World Cup host committee executive claimed the funding gap risked derailing the tournament’s planning and security.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
With energy prices climbing at a blistering pace, the prospect of an expanding Middle East conflict risks derailing the European economy’s recovery, which was enjoying low inflation and better-than-expected growth.
—Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
But Beijing has claimed a partial victory, by derailing Washington’s initial plans to acquire CK Hutchison’s global port holdings outright, Goujon said.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
As a practical matter, the owner being targeted to pay higher monthly assessments will likely oppose paying more, thus derailing the initiative to revise its unit percentage.
—Howard Dakoff, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Nearly 60% of workers in Kickresume’s survey said difficult coworkers significantly undermine their productivity, whether that’s by derailing their focus, wasting time, or forcing them to overthink every interaction.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
That means what seems like a harmless purchase today could be viewed as a fraudulent transaction tomorrow, and could even end up derailing your filing or landing you in legal trouble.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Toppin almost certainly was going to earn his share of honors prior to the injury derailing his campaign.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
At a Homeland Security hearing last week, Kansas City police officials and a Miami World Cup host committee executive claimed the funding gap risked derailing the tournament’s planning and security.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
With energy prices climbing at a blistering pace, the prospect of an expanding Middle East conflict risks derailing the European economy’s recovery, which was enjoying low inflation and better-than-expected growth.
—Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
But Beijing has claimed a partial victory, by derailing Washington’s initial plans to acquire CK Hutchison’s global port holdings outright, Goujon said.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
As a practical matter, the owner being targeted to pay higher monthly assessments will likely oppose paying more, thus derailing the initiative to revise its unit percentage.
—Howard Dakoff, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Nearly 60% of workers in Kickresume’s survey said difficult coworkers significantly undermine their productivity, whether that’s by derailing their focus, wasting time, or forcing them to overthink every interaction.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
That means what seems like a harmless purchase today could be viewed as a fraudulent transaction tomorrow, and could even end up derailing your filing or landing you in legal trouble.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailing
Verb
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Why are two players whose college careers, at the moment, are over bothering to put their names out there for other programs to see?—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
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Throughout the day, jot down any worries that are bothering you, particularly the ones that keep popping up.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Not all Mauss’s material lends equally well to visualizations, and there are moments in the special when the animations are more distracting than additive.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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The combination with the neutral dark-blue jean skirt keeps the look still feeling grown-up and not too distracting.—
Jana Ackermann,
Glamour,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Instead of barging past, the Great Dane carefully adjusts his body, pressing himself to the side of the stairs in an effort to avoid disturbing the cat.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Police said there were reports of reckless driving throughout the parking lot, a fire, underage drinking, and disturbing others at the shopping district.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Early hurricane season forecast sees 'very concerning trend' A typical year averages about 14 tropical storms, seven of which spin into hurricanes, based on weather records that date from 1991 to 2020.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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San Diego economist Ray Major downplays the impacts of declining immigration, pointing out that the far more concerning issue is the continuing exodus of residents, who far outnumber those who are moving here.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Recently, something new appeared on the landscape, alarming wildlife advocates like Christina Aiello.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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How can other young women and girls who wants to be creators online push through that embarrassment and stop worrying about what other people are thinking?—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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But the start of the war in Iran has many European leaders worrying about a deeper break within NATO.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This causes a rift within the family, particularly angering the eldest son, Erik, who feels deeply betrayed.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
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The administration also decided to allow the up to 80,000 metric tons of low-tariff, lower-quality beef from Argentina to be imported to help keep grocery prices down, angering cattle ranchers who argue the decision will hurt domestic production and sales.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Pour in egg mixture and immediately stir with a heatproof rubber spatula, incorporating ham and gently agitating eggs, and running it along edges until sides begin to bubble, about 30 seconds.—
Inés Anguiano,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Barnes took on Jokic and fronted him aggressively, agitating him early in the game, but the three-time MVP managed to fight through it and limit his turnovers to two this time.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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