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
Pressuring Republicans, and derailing a bipartisan housing bill to press for a proof of citizenship voting bill.
—
NBC news,
28 June 2026
Local communities, including Republican strongholds in Georgia and Mississippi, voiced opposition to the projects, staging protests outside the warehouses and derailing city council meetings.
—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
But left unaddressed was Senate Republicans’ own frustration with how the rough patch has been derailing their legislative agenda.
—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
25 June 2026
While Trout recently expressed excitement about potentially playing in the Philadelphia All-Star game, a new hamstring injury has placed him on the IL, likely derailing those plans.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Advertisement Companies may also want to monitor how further negotiations unfold before committing ships to the area, amid concern that Israel’s parallel war against the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon risks derailing progress.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
19 June 2026
California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter threatened to walk off an interview with a local TV reporter in 2025, derailing her campaign.
—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
The dispute risks derailing the discussions on a truce extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and future talks over Iran’s nuclear program.
—
Arsalan Shahla,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
The toxic dating myth that's derailing our relationships Being unbothered and nonchalant has become a dating ideal, accelerated by a swiping culture that has eroded our ability to connect in person.
—
Sabrina Romanoff,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
NBC news,
28 June 2026
Local communities, including Republican strongholds in Georgia and Mississippi, voiced opposition to the projects, staging protests outside the warehouses and derailing city council meetings.
—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
25 June 2026
But left unaddressed was Senate Republicans’ own frustration with how the rough patch has been derailing their legislative agenda.
—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
25 June 2026
While Trout recently expressed excitement about potentially playing in the Philadelphia All-Star game, a new hamstring injury has placed him on the IL, likely derailing those plans.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Advertisement Companies may also want to monitor how further negotiations unfold before committing ships to the area, amid concern that Israel’s parallel war against the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon risks derailing progress.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
19 June 2026
California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter threatened to walk off an interview with a local TV reporter in 2025, derailing her campaign.
—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
The dispute risks derailing the discussions on a truce extension, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and future talks over Iran’s nuclear program.
—
Arsalan Shahla,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
The toxic dating myth that's derailing our relationships Being unbothered and nonchalant has become a dating ideal, accelerated by a swiping culture that has eroded our ability to connect in person.
—
Sabrina Romanoff,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derailing
Verb
-
That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
-
The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Verb
-
However, there was a distracting graphical issue where characters and objects would get weird glowy or black artifacts around the edges in close-up shots during battles and cutscenes.
-
People attending the trial would also be prohibited from reacting, gesturing, wearing distracting clothing, or otherwise disrupting proceedings.
Verb
-
The ability to create disturbing horror in comics is not easy.
-
He was charged with stalking, disturbing the peace and obstruction for failure to identify himself to law enforcement.
Verb
-
Initial ticket sales are concerning for the studio because the movie’s polarizing reception, as well as the intense competition during the peak of summer movie season, could limit its theatrical staying power.
-
Useful, next generation AI features that also might come with some concerning security issues.
Verb
-
At the same time, the state’s spending keeps growing quickly as well, alarming the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises the Legislature on fiscal matters.
-
The 2023 property tax valuation cycle — and to a lesser extent, the 2024 and 2025 cycles — have been the subject of widespread outrage in Jackson County, with skyrocketing property values alarming homeowners and business owners alike.
Verb
-
There was drama, remarkable goals and worrying injury in Sweden’s showdown with Japan at AT&T Stadium Thursday in the final Group F match.
-
The president's strategy is already worrying some Democrats in swing districts, such as Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen on Long Island.
Verb
-
Younger, more far left candidates across the nation, from California to Indiana, are running this year to try and oust older, longtime congressional incumbents — angering Democratic Party leaders.
-
But Schnur said the governor likely also has concerns about angering one of his biggest backers.
Verb
-
That would be Saba Capital, a hedge fund that’s been agitating for change among CEFs for years.
-
The 24-year-old Netherlands international, who has scored twice at this summer’s World Cup, is not agitating to leave, but West Ham are resigned to losing the talented attacker.
Cite this Entry
“Derailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derailing. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
