DERAILING Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

derailing

verb

present participle of derail

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 Ed Burke played a key role in derailing her 2019 campaign for mayor. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 The rulings wiped out the dreams of thousands of Italian descendants who had been hoping to achieve citizenship, derailing life plans and splitting families apart. — Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026 At the same time, borrowers are reporting increasing problems and errors that are delaying or derailing their ability to maintain access to affordable repayment plan programs and student loan forgiveness. — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 The analysts wrote that a common fear among investors is that the scale of infrastructure investment required for electrification becomes too expensive, derailing the sector’s growth. — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 17 July 2026 And Johnson’s gambit to attach the SAVE America Act to important legislation risks not only derailing bipartisan policy but another government shutdown, too. — Sorelle Wyckoff Gaynor, The Conversation, 17 July 2026 The flying sneaker couldn't have come at a worse time, derailing New York's furious comeback after the Liberty entered the fourth quarter down 16. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 He was struck by a car during his freshman year at Clemson University, derailing that season. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 11 July 2026 The back-and-forth risks derailing sensitive negotiations in the Pine Tree State that will determine who could appear on the ballot in Platner's place. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailing

Verb

Hip still bothering Springs Springs lasted just four innings after issuing a season-high five walks, throwing 86 pitches — only 51% of them strikes — and gave up his 28th home run of the season, the most of any pitcher in the league.

— Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Sharks already frequent Southern California beaches, usually without bothering anyone.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of bothering

Verb

The couple have long warned of the dangers of social media and the evolution of disturbing AI tools, zoning in on the negative impact the platforms can have on mental health.

— Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Each seat is 19 inches wide with 39 inches of pitch with thoughtful features like a hard shell for easy reclining without disturbing surrounding fliers and privacy dividers attached to the headrest.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of disturbing

Verb

In Alaska, despite commonly being household pets, dogs are listed as the state's most concerning animal.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The strikeout dip is both concerning and real, but there also isn’t a smoking gun in the underlying metrics, an alarming velocity dip or a breaking ball that just doesn’t have the same snap.

— Andy McCullough, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of concerning

Verb

In Orange County, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County maintains infectious-disease surveillance and disease-reporting services for residents and visitors, which is exactly how local systems stay ready without alarming the public.

— Luis E. Caso Vega, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene.

— Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Definition of alarming

Verb

And for a generation scarred by Covid, wars, and the risk of AI, now worrying over job prospects, demand for safety, security, and certainty may be at an all-time high.

— Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
The same fans forced to move rows back — or even higher into the upper bowl — after years of never worrying about being priced out by the organization as Laney-Hamilton became Brooklyn’s first WNBA star.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of worrying

Verb

And the thousandth cut came when Raman launched her mayoral campaign without first consulting the local DSA chapter, angering organizers who felt the race stretched their resources too thin.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
Leaders of the Maine Democratic Party are still working toward a process to replace Graham Platner, without angering his supporters.

— Dan Merica, Washington Post, 9 July 2026

Definition of angering

Browse Nearby Words

derailed

derailing

derails

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Derailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailing. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of derailing

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on derailing

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes