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
In Season 1, Owen Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, who goes by the nickname Stick, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago.
—
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 May 2026
But economic headwinds due to the war in Iran derailed that progress.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 May 2026
At this time last year, the women’s basketball coach was scrambling to put pieces together in the transfer portal after JuJu Watkins’ knee injury derailed the Trojans’ plans of a title run.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
While the blocking measure is not likely to derail the Xi-Trump summit, Washington’s reaction to it will indicate if the matter escalates, according to analysts from Eurasia Group.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 May 2026
But economic headwinds due to the war in Iran derailed that progress.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 May 2026
At this time last year, the women’s basketball coach was scrambling to put pieces together in the transfer portal after JuJu Watkins’ knee injury derailed the Trojans’ plans of a title run.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
While the blocking measure is not likely to derail the Xi-Trump summit, Washington’s reaction to it will indicate if the matter escalates, according to analysts from Eurasia Group.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for derail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derail
Verb
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Schapiro, a former university president, stepped down to avoid distracting from the ceremony.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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Sure, robots can be kitschy and cute, but frankly, their growing presence has begun to irk and distract me, becoming a bit too synonymous with gimmicky pan-Asian hotpot fare.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Remaining quiet and respectful increases the chances of observing bears in their natural habitat without disturbing them.—
Debbie Olsen,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
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Coherence unravels strange events and disturbing moments that are sure to thrill.—
Grace Dean,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
Verb
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There were other stories that bothered him more, like a post by a writer who recounted a chaste one-night stand with Tea Party activist and Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell that described her pubic hair.—
Frank DiGiacomo,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
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However, in the wild, the algae are the ocean’s introverts, and only glow when they are bothered, like jolted by a crashing wave or the hull of a passing boat.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
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One perhaps shouldn’t worry too much about AI being prompted to resurrect a talk-show host, what with the whole format dying anyway.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
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Equally important, a chatbot does not worry about your wellbeing the way a doctor might—which is important, since the best healers combine technical skills with moral judgment and empathy.—
Sudheesha Perera,
Time,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Females will sting if handled or alarmed though, so avoid doing that.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
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The results reinforced a broader trend that has alarmed both of Britain's major parties.—
Inaya Folarin Iman,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Verb
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There’s a lot to be concerned about.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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The king’s visit with a deeply divisive American president, who himself has been compared to a monarch, threatens to further divide Americans concerning the British royals.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After a chance encounter with a group of influencers in their twenties who are passing through town, Ernie invites them into his home – a decision that unsettles the fragile world he’s spent years trying to exist within.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2026
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After two movies that leave viewers unsettled, McCarthy has delivered a surprising reprieve.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Verb
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For years, Mira has been agitating for more independence.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Describing this photo, documentary photographer Chantal Pinzi says that Ghita Jhaite's horse was agitated after a confrontation with other stallions that caused the rider to fall.—
Kamala Thiagarajan,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derail. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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