as in to distract
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 derail
The concern, Cuba experts noted, is that the killing of four people Wednesday could be used in Havana and Miami to try to derail the ongoing conversations.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
But an undisclosed health issue derailed those plans.
—Bryan P. Sears, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026
The 49ers have come out on the losing end in both matchups, falling in overtime against the Tigers in 2023 and blowing a late-game lead in 2024, which ultimately derailed Charlotte’s season.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
The board voted unanimously Tuesday night not to pursue a fare-free policy, following a presentation from VIA staffers who said that eliminating fares would derail the agency's strategy to attract new riders with rounds of service improvements.
—Richard Webner, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
But an undisclosed health issue derailed those plans.
—Bryan P. Sears, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026
The 49ers have come out on the losing end in both matchups, falling in overtime against the Tigers in 2023 and blowing a late-game lead in 2024, which ultimately derailed Charlotte’s season.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
The board voted unanimously Tuesday night not to pursue a fare-free policy, following a presentation from VIA staffers who said that eliminating fares would derail the agency's strategy to attract new riders with rounds of service improvements.
—Richard Webner, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
Verb
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As a result, few distributors produce and release ASL or even open caption versions for theatrical screening — which their critics consider distracting, obstructive, or visually unappealing — forcing deaf audiences to rely on devices that may be limited in number or fail.—
Abbey White,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2026
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What Scream 7 really wants is to make as much money as possible — and to distract viewers from the firing of Barrera, which derailed the original plans for the film and inspired calls for a boycott.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The executions had shaken many Manbij residents, but others—disturbed by the crime and disorder—were grateful that someone was finally willing to take a stand.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
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New weed seeds will likely sprout, especially if the soil is disturbed.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The person who should have been most upset, Acuña, didn’t seem at all bothered.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
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Given their locations, having a Chinese company operating them has long bothered the United States.—
Alma Solís,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition to worry over exposure to toxins in food and drinking water, more than 60% of American adults are also very or somewhat concerned about chemicals that industry uses in children’s toys and baby products, food packaging, and personal care products such as makeup, the Pew survey found.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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With nine Democrats in the field, party leaders worry that two Republican candidates could advance to November’s general election.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kevin Brown, who runs the HAZMAT detail at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, said residents should not be alarmed by the presence of the WMD Civil Support Team.—
Jeff Nguyen,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
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The spike has alarmed public health experts, many of whom blame the disease’s resurgence on declining rates of vaccination against measles.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Council also approved a resolution adopting a social media policy concerning comments posted on the town’s Facebook page.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
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Yet, still, the president’s comments have concerned elections officials on both sides of the aisle.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The entrance of Thea Elvsted (Celeste Arias), a school girl acquaintance, both unsettles and diverts Hedda.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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Coming off a state runner-up finish, Duncanville’s quarterback situation appeared to be unsettled going into next season.—
Greg Riddle,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The pipeline workers, visibly agitated by our taunts, occasionally yelled back.—
Robert Moor,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
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Paramount has continued to agitate for more fulsome negotiations to buy Warner.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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